why are american soldiers so friendly ?

Question

From British soldiers to Canadian soldiers to Iraqi soldiers and many more ............have received "friendly fire" from american troops .

I almost forgotten Dick cheney was at one time getting too friendly with one of his friends too . could this be some kind of american friendliness that we europeans do not understand ?

Answer 1

i think almost everyone here is missing your point or trying to avoid it it happens so many times that it`s now a joke in other countries that any allies have more chance of being killed by American forces than by the Enemy I Suppose there must always be a slight risk but by all accounts Americans will shoot at anything that moves 2 relatives of mine (not close but still relatives)have been killed in Iraq in 2 seperate incidents of so called friendly fire(not so friendly when you end up dead) and none killed by the actual enemy .thats hard to believe but true .

Answer 2

Fratricide occurs in wartime. And the type of battlefield the US prefers tends to result in higher fratricide casualties but lower overall casualties.

This is because we want chaotic battlefields - where our better training, advanced doctrine and faster communications will allow us to evaluate the situation and implement a course of action long before the enemy has even gotten their initial reports in.

Also note that the actual fratricide incidents are few and far between.

Investigations of fratricide incidents revealed that in the vast majority of cases either the shooter or the victim was someplace other than where they thought they were. An example of this was the famous incident in the Gulf war where a US A10 attacked a British armored vehicle. The British unit had misplotted their position (they were not where they thought they were) and the American pilot was informed by the British HQ that 'no friendlies' were in the area.

Another thing to consider when you consider the apparent incidence of fratricide is that the US military is the only one that keeps careful records of fratricide and also discloses all fratricide incidents.

Answer 3

One of the great truths of warfare is: "Friendly fire -- isn't!"

Once shot from the barrel of a gun, a bullet becomes a dumb projectile -- it is going where it is going, and nothing is going to stop it from hitting where it was aimed unless something (or someone) should happen to get in its way.

That's the sort of thing that happened when VP Cheney accidentally shot his hunting partner -- the hunting partner got ahead of the line of fire, Cheney spotted a target and fired, and then the partner stood up into the path of the projectiles. Ooops! Friendly fire incident!!! AUGH!!!!

In the confusion of a battlefield, especially in an insurgency battle where the enemy is not wearing a characteristic, readily identifiable uniform, and bullets are being sprayed in all directions, it is just as easy to run into one from your friends as from your foes.

The reason the Americans "seem" to do it so much more often, is that we're the only ones with a hostile media embedded with us, investigating every wounding or death, and spraying the news of a friendly fire incident over the international news media.

I wonder how many insurgents are shot by their own? Or Brits? Or Canucks? Or Iraqis? But you'll never hear about it, because they refuse to broadcast it to the rest of the world. Only in America do we agonize so much over a single casualty.

Answer 4

Unless you have been in a combat situation you can't possibly understand. I served as a Infantry Soldier in the Army from 87-95, we were not taught to shoot first and ask questions later, we had many hours of instruction in Aircraft and Vehicle identification. I never had to serve in combat, but when training in major war games like JRTC and NTC I learned firsthand that it is chaos on the battlefield. Half the time we didn't know what was going on and it is so fast paced it is so easy to react to a perceived threat and make a mistake. I can only imagine how much harder it is in an actual combat zone but when you make comments like this and assume that it should be easy not to make mistakes you are more wrong than you could possibly imagine. Until you have carried a rifle in combat you have no right to judge someone who was there.

I remember an incident where a group of soldiers got killed in a live fire training accident, the team leader maneuvered his element into the line of fire from the support weapons getting two of his men killed. Live fire training exercises are designed to have as many safety precautions as possible and people still die. Imagine the chances for error on an uncontrolled battlefield.

Answer 5

As a Brit living in the USA, there are two sides to it. The Brits lost more soldiers to US friendly fire than fighting in Gulf War 1. Asked by an American soldier what we were doing in Iraq, one Brit told him we were there as target practise for the Americans.
There is no bad deal about it, friendly fire will always kill innocent people no matter if you are an ally or if you are a citizen of the Country the war is against

Answer 6

This is the severe component of war ...we forget as we bicker back and forth , that the ones that die from "friendly ordinance" were there to do thier duty , and stay alive . You cant pass judgement on situational awareness , unless you have been through it . I believe that the soldiers that are fighting in Afghanistan are in the most dangerous place next to Iraq , I would re-enlist , but I have a "million dollar wound " . My buddies in the 10th mountain div. are there now , I would be too. I would wish it to be myself to serve again , instead of someone that has family here or in Canada . Fathers , uncles, brothers , aunts , sisters , mothers and other devoted , are there to commit thier mission . You find out after "making contact with the people" , that your job becomes staying alive . I weep for these brave folks . I question your motivation in this question ; it seems that if you have had experienced "suspicious awarenes" from combat , you wouldnt even dare ask.

Answer 7

I think we just caught some fire from you. While I personally haven't given any "friendly fire" it happens because of what war is. Of course you have absolutely no comprehension of what a battle in a war is like and couldn't possibly understand sitting there in your warm little room infront of your computer while some of our soldiers are sitting in the snow and mud trying to stay alive to come home.
Damn you really know how to stab a dagger in our hearts.
I washed the mud from a little Afghan girls feet last month so I could give her warm socks and boots. She had no shoes! There was snow on the ground! I know it meant something to her that we are here even though it means nothing to you my fellow American. I can't say more. You're sickening sitting there passing judgement on what we do here.
God bless America and help us succeed in what we do here.

Answer 8

I will attempt to provide insight to your question. I served in Viet Nam as a USMC Recon, 1st Recon Battallion warrior. Friendly fire is certainly something that is unfortunate, but is a part of war. When a firefight breaks out there is fear and confusion among the ranks, until the situation is in control. Often times there is an inability to communicate effectively with other friendlies. These accidents can occur on the ground, from airstrikes and artillery. It is more about being in the wrong palce at the wrong time. We coined it "running out of luck"......doesn't make us bad when friendlies are killed !! Its part of war!

Answer 9

Having lost a friend to 'friendly fire' i dont find your question funny!
In wars accidents do happen and i dont hold a grudge with our american counterparts if you look into reports there is normally a reason why it happened sometimes equipment failure sometime mis recognition of aircraft or troops.

Answer 10

Well,. to the first part,. maybe were hoping that some extremist somewhere actually sees not all americans are pig dog heretics or whatever,. and then when they blow themselves up they'll do it next to someone else....

Second part,.. ever been in a shoot out? Its not like you can call a freaken time out and look around to see whos who.. this isn't fuedal Japan where we wear flags on our backs and junk so people know whos who, and fight fact to face for honor and stuff.... people wear cammo,.. hide behind things,. and in a hail storm of bullets and explosions with less than seconds to determine if its you who gets to go home and kiss your wife and see the baby you've never seen before, or give the other guys the opportunity to do it instead while your children grow up fatherless or motherless... gee,. hmm,. tough call....

ITS CALLED WAR,... ITS UGLY AND ITS SICK AND ITS TERRIBLE... but some of us have to do it so others can sit at home and type up questions without fear of the afore mentioned peopel walking into the movies one day and blowing themselves up in the name of a better imaginary friend...

please try and be a little more open minded...
Peace.. God Bless,..