Stop yank bashing over friendly fire blame U.K defense cuts.?

Question

1.I am British
2.If our vehicle convoys had I F F (I D friend or foe) equipment fitted this might not have happened.
3.If the R.A.F had enough ground attack aircraft we would not have to rely on the U.S.A.F.
4.Many British lives have been saved by having U.S aircraft working with & supporting our troops
5.Sadly accidents do happen with tadgic results.
DO YOU AGREE WITH ME ?

Answer 1

I'm not going to say it was anybody's fault... merely a sad accident.

American troops, like you say, rely more heavily on IFF than on visID because we're used to outfitting our equipment with better Electronic ID equipment (tracked via Satellite).
This means that Air Craft Pilots rely on their Air Traffic Controllers to coordinate fire and deconflict friendly targets, since air controllers have better full battlefield perspective than the pilots. English forces, however, still rely very heavily on VisID.

Furthermore, the American Military tracks every unit on it's mission progression through thouroughly planned and filed missions. The convoy in question never filed it's mission profile with the appropriate offices before it entered what is called a "kill box." Without deconflicting the entrance to this area, it is assumed that anything military operating in the area is enemy forces. The american pilots even called the (british) forward air controller questioning if the convoy were friendlies. Being that there was no mission planning filed, the Air Controller could only answer the logical conclusion: there were no friendlies listed as operating in the area.

Finally, the radio nets were screwy and the Forward Air Controller could not be reached rapidly with the cease fire call. Because he could not be reached there was no way to stop the second attack run, though the pilots were able to be contacted before lining up for a final run.

Ultimately, it's not anybody's fault. It's just a matter of different technology installed and the resulting different combat ops. Recall, this event occured right after the war started, before the two forces had adjusted to working together.

Answer 2

One question? Why should we be "helping" them anyway? If they think they are so powerful why do they need a small island nation like us to help? Is it just they may get credance for this war if the UK say "we're up for it as well"? Where are the wmd? This war really was about the oil wasn't it! A war instigated by the largest non signatory of the Kyoto agreement and user of oil headed by the head of a large oil company, go figure. It's not as if the Yanks shared out the rebuilding contracts evenly between the 2 allies is it? No they kept them all for themselves. Pull out I say and we should never join them in war again. They didn't join us in defending the Falklands did they? No because there's no oil there and nothing for them to gain!
The worse thing is that the video was kept secret. All those, both sides of the Atlantic should be ashamed for this and shuold face the family in person!

Answer 3

If this were an isolated incident then yes, we could forgive them. However, it is not - at one stage during the Iraq war, the US troops had killed more allies than enemies. The most criminal thing in the latest case of the killing of a young british soldier was hiding the evidence to save their own skins - that is despicable and says a lot about the USA government. I am afraid to say that they have earnt their reputation as trigger happy for a reason. There is only so many times you can call taking lives unnecesarily as a "mistake". Get our soldiers out and let the yankies fight their own battles.

Answer 4

No I don't, I'm British too.They saw the orange panels, thought they were rocket launchers and their command told them there were no 'friendlies' in the area, they fired without authority from their superiors and then they try to hide the tapes......how can UK defense cuts be blamed?

The Yanks have a history of freindly fire deaths throughout every conflict that has occured, more than any other country. Put it down to their 'gung ho' attitude. Which was apparent from the pilots, "We're in jail, DUDE"! Comment - were Bill 'n' Ted flying and navigating?? Some 'excellent adventure' that must have been!

Answer 5

The americans were flying over a free fire zone and that is why they fired,even if it was to do with defence cuts ,why do they shoot if they're not sure?Its happened too many times now and im not yank bashing!!!! Why was it kept secret for months if it was a genuine mistake?

Answer 6

Yes I do agree with you on this. The US pilots in spite of their terrible error, they at least showed remorse and appear genuinely upset for what they had done.
Unlike the US and British Government who should be ashamed of how they attempted to hide the truth. They do not come out of this with any credit. If incidents like this happen again in the future would you believe what the US or British Governments tell you?

Answer 7

The U.S. had a long history of blatant lying and cover-ups whenever they're at fault. The Pentagon and the CIA had this habit of hiding the truth. Who would still believe in them?. Every major conflict in this world could have never been any conflict at all, if not for their lies.

Answer 8

What is great that all of these war heroes on here would have done so much better. If most of these pups ever heard a shot they fill their pants. It is terrible that it happens but no one is perfect except for the kool aid kids here.

Answer 9

per chance that ought to help you brits from capturing one yet another. there have been 6 brit on brit pleasant hearth incidents in iraq thus far. you've even had one among your tanks, shoot yet another of your tanks. Wierd, on account that your the in hardship-free words u . s . a . on earth, to apply the Challenger tank. not one Brit has been charged for involvement in a delightful hearth incident, yet you brits, particular look to decide on individuals charged. Why is that ?

Answer 10

Many Americans feel bad about what happened. Except for the few people who ruin the image of the US, many Americans like the UK.