Do the American forces ever shoot up their own troops?

Question

We here in the UK get to hear of the occassions when they have shot up British forces but never get to hear if they have done the same to their own.

I'm not interested in blame diatribes because being ex forces I know of the problems and each incident has to be looked into on its own merits.

Answer 1

I remember one incident during Desert Storm where a couple of Apache's were working with a bunch of Bradley's. Two of the bradley's got a little too far out to the right side of the formation. The Apache Gunships, not expecting anyone to be over there mistook them for Iraqi Armored infantry carriers and took them both out with hellfire missiles. As soon as the two vehicles were taken out, the Bradley commander called them up for help as their right flank was coming under fire and they just lost two of their vehicles.
It was then that the Apache Pilot realized what happened. I remember watching the documentary which had the actual FLIR camera footage with the audio of the pilots voices, and the pilot was so distraught at having killed his own by accident that he almost could not fly his Helo back to base and land. You could hear him crying and yelling and the other guy in the Helo trying to talk him down and get them back to base.

Another incident during Southern Watch

A pair of F-15's inforcing the no-fly zone in southern Iraq picked up two helos in the no-fly zone that were refusing to contact them on radio and refused to alter course or land. The F-15's fired, downing both Helos. It was then discovered the the Helo's were carrying UN inspectors. The investigation discovered the the wrong radio frequencies were accidently given to the Helo pilots and they never heard the orders to land or identify themselves. A second mistake was the overtasked AWACs crew that missed the memo concerning the flight so they did not anticipate nor werew they away that the UN Helos had clearance to fly that route.

Friendly Fire, Also known as Blue on Blue engagements, happen often. almost ALWAYS as a result of some error. and the aftermath is devastating not only for the victims but for the shooter as well. Our men and women in uniform are not mindless killers but people who are serving with honor and a real belief that they are on the right side. Both the British Soldiers and the Americans.
The Friendly Fire accident that happened between the US and the British was a bad thing but dispite what some anti-American jerks try to say , It was not intentional. THe Video just released had the pilot remarking "We're going to jail!" when he realised what had happened. because he knew a mistake happened and they killed someone they shouldnt. Our people (that includes our allies) have a conscience, they have morals. They are not "babykillers" "murderers" or anything else the sickos out there what to label them.



to close on a lighter note on what is a very "unlight" subject:

Friendly Fire, isn't

and its not the bullet with your name on it you need worry about. Its the one adressed "To whom it may concern"

UPDATE:
I know you (Asker) are not looking for blame Diatribes, but many people out there are just irresponsibly slanderous in claiming US forced kill civilians and other friendlies on purpose.
here is the actual video in question of the Friendly Fire incident in which a British Soldier was killed by US A-10 Warthogs.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e06da463d7
Please note, that they had conflicting information that NO friendlies were in the Area. Once they found out the truth of what happened you can hear in their voice just how horribly sick they become in finding out they killed one of their own.

UPDATE 2:
I know of only ONE confirmed case in which a member of US forces INTENTIONALLY and MALICIOUSLY attacked his own side. A black Sargeant who was recently "converted" to militant radical islam threw a grenade into his platoons sleeping tent while he was on guard duty. This was in Kuwait right at the begining of the war, just before or right at the kickoff of hostilities.

Answer 2

Yes, I have often wondered that. I also wonder if we ever kill any of their troops, you never hear that this happens. I have heard the argument that because there are a lot of American Forces, friendly fire from them is more likely. That argument doesn't stand up, however, because there are a lot less British Forces to be on the wrong end of friendly fire. There is an inter relationship going on here.

Answer 3

fratricide happens. The biggest difference is that the US makes a public announcement when this occurs.

BTW - I personally know of one incident where US troops were accidentaly fired on by British troops in Iraq. Occurred in 2004. The British unit had gotten lost, wound up in an American sector then fired on an American patrol. Fortunately nobody was killed or injured.

To avoid embarrassing the British government the US Army kept this quiet.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, yes, it happens. It is one of the most unfortuate things about war. There has always been "friendly fire", but we are able to keep it to a minimum now with all the new technology.

"However, the origin and purpose of the term is as a simple distinction to enemy fire. Both terms serve only to identify the source of an attack as coming from enemy (hostile) or friendly forces and not the nature of an attack." "The U.S. and British military refer to these incidents as blue on blue, which derives from military exercises where friendly forces are 'blue' and enemy forces are 'red'."

1

Answer 5

which you're French and asking this question isn't staggering to me simply by fact France is rapidly starting to be yet yet another failed socialist state and does not yet realize it. The British did not furnish us representation in parliament before levying taxes on us to pay for the French and Indian conflict which in no way definitely threatened our territory effectively besides and as for motives to be pleased with america of a, our united states of america donates extra to international charity consistent with capita than the different united states of america interior the worldwide, is the only united states of america that ensures the marvelous to self protection, and sources rights. with the remarkable exception of Israel and Turkey.

Answer 6

In battle it's kill or be killed. I once shot one of my own guys on a training mission. Unless you have been there when all hell is breaking loose civilians don't know anything about it. It's war, it happens, to the US and any other troops to include the Brits, you being ex-military should know that.

Answer 7

There is an incident reported today where a Brit tank got fired on by a US tank. "Friendly Fire" has gone on since the start of tiem. there were quite a few reported instances in Korea and Vietnam

Answer 8

I think they did in the Iraq war about 14 years ago and messed things up even more than this time.
British and Americans had a good go at the poor Canadians

Answer 9

Blue on blue incidents have occurred and been recorded for hundreds of years . in the confusion of battle errors happen i guess

Answer 10

Yes, lots of times.