Is the American public aware of the recent friendly fire incident on the British?

Question

come on Yankees, don't be so gun ho! we are supposed to be friends

by that, I mean the recent availabilty of the video footage.

Answer 1

Ok- this tragic incident did happen in 2003. There has been a hell of a lot of bitching about this, but if it seems annoying to Americans that's just because it is pretty much new news to the British public. To the person who lists 3 smug reasons why the brits should ease off- you apparently still know more than JoeBlogg Brit, 1wk after release of said footage!
I personally am pretty sceptical about media-coverage in general. If I was a cynic I'd say the feeding frenzy is more to do with journalist casualties than the hero who died doing his duty!

Answer 2

This was the incident where several CANADIAN soldiers were shot by the American pilots in Afghanistan. It was 3 years ago. it was at night, so the targets weren't obvious except for the tracer fire pointing to them. these guys were flying over, saw fire-arms activity, and decided to bomb.

I just think it's stupid because - if you see insurgents because of ground fire, well, what are they firing at? Maybe you should wait until you're sure what side you're shooting at. (I think the pilots were under the impression the US jets were the target. It was in fact a live-fire exercise that had nothing to do with air traffic.)

The Americans disregarded standing orders to NOT fire, thinking a target of opportunity might get away. It was a qick decision, they picked wrong. There's a whole series of mistakes why the chain of command in air traffic control did not know there were friendlies in the area.

The pilots have all been court-martialed out of the military. It was somewhat stupid, but they weren't entirely to blame and it would be crueller to punish them with what, a few years jail, for having to make a quick decision with limited information.

It was big news in Canada 3 years ago, as was teh American court-martial.

Answer 3

A better question is why the brits are so behind in the news:

1) the friendly fire incident was reported in the american news 3 years ago, shortly after it happened. In other words, what recent friendly fire on brits?

2) The forward air controller whom the pilots asked to confirm that there were no friendly forces in the area was british. He was also not attentive because he missed the call to his radio requesting that the attack run be broken off.

3) the British mission control failed to file the mission and allowed a convoy to enter what is called a "kill box" completely unnoticed.

I'm honestly sick and tired of hearing about this issue wherein american pilots are getting blamed for the mistakes of a british air controller and the british mission control

Answer 4

Yes, it was an unfortunate mistake that took the life of a British Soldier. U.S and other Countries try to reduce the amount of friendly fire, but in the confusion of war, mistakes occur. This incident, in my opion, was very much preventable and should be used as an example to prevent or reduce the likelihood of other incidents of friendly fire.

Americans have had numerous incidents of fratricide, the most famous involving Pat Tillman, an American Hero and patriot that died in Afghanistan from fratricide. He left a career in the NFL, to answer his countries call to defend the United States.

Answer 5

They showed the whole scene a couple of days ago on TV. Including the big orange signs on the vehicles showing they were British and not Iraqi. Unfortunately the jet fighters made the wrong decision to fire. The reason was they didn't have the proper information that British troops were moving in that area. They had old information that nothing was in that area so when they saw trucks they assumed it was the Iraqi army.

Answer 6

i became saddened as quickly as I heard the information checklist this morning. even however, being a "Nam" vet, I understand thoroughly the way it could happen. It became no longer led to by using some cowboy in the pilot's chair. the floor help group additionally shares in the fault, because of the fact they instructed the pilot's that there have been no "friendlies" in the section and gave permission to fireside. people who made this blunders have been merely as upset by using what befell; hear to the checklist returned. place your self of their uniforms. that they had asked two times till now firing and became certain that the objective became valid. it could have merely as truthfully been enemy combatants making use of pretend identity to flee. those activities do happen in each conflict. that's a miracle that greater weren't killed with the firepower used. Get previous it.

Answer 7

This happens in war time. It's a tragedy and a MISTAKE. It isn't like the soldiers are purposefully firing on allies, and I'm sure it's happened on both sides.

Answer 8

Crap happens...bad intell once again...its to bad that the national guard pilots couldn't affors 10 cent sillowettes that show what an allied tank looks like....the guy that said no friendlies in that sector(or his CO)should be hung out...not the cowboy pilots.

Answer 9

First, this was years ago.

Second, yes we know about it.

Third, accidents happen in a time of war.

Fourth, the airmen felt grief and remorse the second they found out what they had done.

Hope this helps. Cheers, mate.

Answer 10

resent? It was in 2003.