some 4 years ago a British Soldier was killed by USAF Reservists in a "Friendly Fire" incident, despite one pilot expressing his doubts after seeing orange marks on the vehicles they later attacked.
To those that are not aware those orange marks denote a friendly vehicle.
2007-02-06 09:40:56 · 17 answers · asked by michael2k_18 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The Cockpit Videos have been shown on British News programming, and there was a very strong element of doubt with one pilot.
Surely the best thing would have been to turn towards base and slam the throttles open and got the hell out of there. rather than killing one of your own. Weve only just found out the full details because an inquest has been launched this year into the soldiers death.
As for flying at 10,000ft 500mph and 3 miles out, they dived from 10,000 ft to 5,000ft slowed down and opened up with the Vulcan cannon which has a range of less than a mile.
They still didnt realise what they had done after they'd seen the vehicles and followed through with the second attack!!!
2007-02-06 10:04:10 · update #1
At first the marks were ID'd as missles... after opening fire and closing in they ID'd the convoy for what it was.
Unfortunately things like that happen in war. That is part of the problem in engaging ground forces form the air, without precise intel accidents like this can happen.
Flying at over 500 miles an hour doesn't give crews in planes a lot of time for doubts, and misidentifying a potential target could be equally fatal for the pilots as for the people on the ground.
2007-02-06 09:47:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I was saddened when I heard the news report this morning. However, being a "Nam" vet, I understand completely how it could happen. It was NOT caused by some cowboy in the pilot's chair. The ground support team also shares in the fault, because they told the pilot's that there were no "friendlies" in the area and gave permission to fire. Those who made this mistake were just as upset by what happened; listen to the report again. Place yourself in their uniforms. They had asked twice before firing and was assured that the target was legitimate. It could have just as easily been enemy combatants using fake ID to escape.
These events do happen in every war. It is a miracle that more were not killed with the firepower used. Get past it.
2007-02-06 09:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. J 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fact of the matter is that the pilots did what they were supposed to do. The were told that no friendlies were in the area.
The question that needs to be answered is: why were those pilots told that there were no friendly units in the area?
I get the suspicion that the reason the British are making so much noise right now is because they do not want this question asked.
2007-02-06 13:42:07 · answer #3 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very sad. Seems the marks should be on the top of the vehicle. I don't know that reservists are properly combat trained(maybe someone else knows that??) War is ugly.
One guy did identify it as friendly(the orange-the other decided it was a rocket)
2007-02-06 09:46:59 · answer #4 · answered by Middleclassandnotquiet 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm sick about it, and I hope that the investigators do as thorough and fair an investigation as possible. Mistakes are made, but why? We need to do everything we can to minimize those mistakes and, if they're due to negligence, hold the negligent parties responsible. I'm sorry for the friends and family of the fallen soldier.
2007-02-06 09:44:34 · answer #5 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
i don't be attentive to what the remark became into, I watched it stay yet they saved reducing the sound. Sara became into flirting with all the boys and Darnell took it too some distance as well-known. She ended up in mattress with Stuart to get removed from.......potential intercourse criminal me thinks.
2016-10-01 13:04:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorrow, deep sorrow is my reaction. Sorrow for him, for his family and friends. Deep regret that it happened. This type of thing always happens in wars, needless death, needless pain, needless grief. It is why wars should be kept to the utter, absolute minimum, used only when actually necessary.
2007-02-06 09:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by jxt299 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They followed all known rules of engagement and that is what the investigation showed.
Tragic accident. It happens.
2007-02-06 10:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by SnowWebster2 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The ' American Public ' is taught to go along ... or else. ( Essentially. ) I can only imagine what's happening to our own troops. I say, any of you chaps like to help me reacquire my passport? I'm shopping for a new country, preferably non totalitarian. ( No. France is not an option. )
2007-02-06 09:45:04 · answer #9 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Blue on Blue happens. We try as hard as we can not to but it happens. The story is only begun. I wish it did not happen but it did.
2007-02-06 09:45:01 · answer #10 · answered by DietrichVonQuint 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋