friendly fire incident.?

Question

This is more of a statement than a question. It goes out to all my fellow brits who are jumping all over this and using it as an excuse to bash the whole of the American forces. It's a damn shame that things like this happen, but when the adrenalin is pumping you have to expect mistakes to be made, it just so happens that in war the mistakes are deadly. Those pilots probably should face some sort of inquest, but not to punish them, more so to fnd out how we can stop things like this happening again. They have to live with what they did, and that is going to be so hard for them. Anybody who thinks that they fired on friendlies and don't suffer psychologically from it is a hard hearted fool. So please fellow anglo's, please stop bashing on Americans because of this, it doesn't serve our countries or alliance, which for 70 years plus has been the greatest on earth, at all. United we stand, United we should fall. Churchill said, "Together there is nothing we can't accomplish".

Hey ecky, get a life.

Answer 1

I am ex Royal Air Force and have worked "abroad" with our American allies. On this occasion the problem was that the aircrews did not follow the SOP's Standard Operating Procedures and fired at the target without permission rather than confirming positively or negatively whether or not it was a hostile. The convoy were not even presenting an immediate threat at the time the engagement had taken place and there was plenty of time available for proper identification to have taken place. The aircrew of the A10's had seen the day glow orange "friendly forces" panels on the vehicles but were unsure as to whether these were missiles or not. The crews should not have fired with such an element of doubt.

Sadly there is a greater propensity for some of our brothers to shoot first and ask questions later - as happened in this case with disastrous consequences. No disciplinary action has been taken against them which certainly would have been the case had this have been a member of the British military. A proper enquiry should be held to ensure lessons are learned and all forces entering combat should be briefed about the necessity of positive identification when engaging a target.

British forces are often gratefulk for the firepower of the US, however at the same time they are sometimes more than a little nervous when working in close proximity with them. A little more discipline, training and restraint would go a long way to building greater confidence.

Answer 2

Certainly ignore the first poster. She is probably just a troll who looks around to get her kicks by reporting people. Anyway, as a Brit living in the USA, I agree it is sad to lose a soldier from Britain or America. We have all made mistakes in war and you only need look in history to see when Brits made disasterous mistakes.
We are both united in terror now and we fight together as allies. The sad fact is that in doing this, innocents are killed. I love being a Brit, and I love living in the USA

Answer 3

I assume you're talking about the blue on blue video shown yesterday on Sky News. It was a tragic mistake that left one of our soldiers dead and several injured. The total anguish and despair in the pilot's voices, when they realised what they'd done, was heartbreaking. I don't blame the pilots. They will have to live with that for the rest of their lives.
What I can't condone is the way the US authorities have brushed this incident under the carpet, like it never happened. That is totally out of order.

Answer 4

As an American I must say that I am sorry for the loss of your fellow Brits. I stand with you in asking for forgiveness for the actions during this war. God bless Great Britain and her people and God bless America.

Answer 5

There is no such thing as friendly fire..i mean for god sake the pilots could see the orange lids.....this was a bit of a clue that the target was friendly...
Have YOU actually seen the footage? I have and it clearly shows the target was showing orange.
This is not the first time that the trigger happy yanks have shot their allies....and it sure wont be the last.
I've had the unfortunate experience of fighting alongside the US on the ground and believe me it is a frightening experience.... They will shoot anything that they see, regardless.
When your enemy fires you duck...when the English fire the enemy ducks...when the yanks fire..EVERYONE DUCKS.

Answer 6

Ignore the 1st poster, thick as pigshit, sadly this happens in war, very difficult to lay blame at the individuals door.

Answer 7

I agree to a certian extent, but it is always the americans that make these mistakes. the tape shows that they failed to follow certain protocol and did not give their controller totally correct info on the location of the trucks they saw which led to the tragedy.

Answer 8

Well look at the first gulf war more allies died at the hand of the yanks than the enemy who needs enemies when your on a battle field with the yanks they do the work of the enemy friendly fire my @SS.

It is now reported that the pilot involved killing the BRITISH service man is now training more american pilots (prob for more friendly fire incidents)

Answer 9

Very true however i seem to still dislike them as my fathers in the forces and recieved an OBE from the queen for his service and while he was out there he said nothing annoyed him more than stupid minded american troops!

Answer 10

You are very impartial and I congratulate you. It shouldn't happen, but war shouldn't happen either.