Green Berets cleared in Afghanistan friendly fire deaths

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...riendly-fire-/

Air ForceMaj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, a trained combat pilot and lead investigator, had called for charges against the two Green Berets “if warranted.” Gen. Harrigian listed what he considered their mistakes: lack of mission rehearsal, faulty radios and poor situational awareness.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...#ixzz3NHODggOi


BMT

[SF_BHT]

Good to hear.....

[Ret10Echo]

Good Christmas Present.


RIP Staff Sgt. McDonald, Staff Sgt. Studenmund, Spec. Helton, Cpl. Clouse and Pvt. Toppen

[Badger52]

From the 2nd page of the online article

Gen. Harrigian’s investigation uncovered what could be considered a tragic comedy of errors.

The Americans wore infrared strobes to identify them as friendly in night operations. The B-1B crew repeatedly told the JTAC on the ground they could not see the strobes at the point of muzzle flashes on the ridge.

In a bizarre mix-up, the crew was trying to see the strobes through the plane’s high-definition “sniper pod,” which did not have the technical ability to see them.

Even worse, one of the pilots reported he could not see strobes using his night vision goggles, the one system on the plane that could see the signal. The trouble was, at a 5-mile orbit, the plane was too far away — outside of the goggles’ maximum range by about 1,000 meters.

Not seeing any strobes, the pilots figured the men positioned on the ridge must be the enemy and dropped the bombs.

“We never saw a strobe,” a B-1B crew member later said.

At no time during the plane’s circling did the crew apparently ask each other why they were not seeing strobes since they were being told that the Americans were wearing the devices.

Making matters worse, the JTAC encountered repeated problems in radio communications with the B-1B yet had no trouble speaking with other aircraft, such as an AC-130 gunship that arrived shortly before the bombing. Experts say the bomber is not suited for such tactical communication in mountainous terrain that rises as high as 12,000 feet.

The JTAC himself made a critical mistake: He told the bomber the Americans were 300 meters away from the ridge line when they were not.

The Times reported Oct. 29 that the JTAC was told on June 1 he had been selected for involuntary discharge. His career was marked by disciplinary problems. The Times learned that when he was interviewed by investigators, he showed a lack of basic knowledge of targeting procedures for close air support.

The Air Force, against stiff resistance in Congress, is attempting to retire the one plane dedicated to close air support — the storied A-10 Warthog. The Air Force has listed the B-1B as one of its replacements.

The A-10 flies lower than the B-1B, its pilots are schooled in the CAS mission, and they always wear night vision goggles at a distance that can see strobe signals.

Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican and the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said at a press conference that those five soldiers might be alive today if an A-10 had arrived instead of the B-1B.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Republican and a committee member, told The Times, “When our ground troops are taking fire from the enemy and call for help, our nation has a responsibility to provide the best possible close air support, and on June 9, 2014, in Afghanistan, our nation failed to do so, and the results were tragic and entirely avoidable.”

[Pete]

They tried Oh so hard to push this off onto the Army but LTG Cleveland threw the BS Flag.

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by Pete

They tried Oh so hard to push this off onto the Army but LTG Cleveland threw the BS Flag.

Yup... Glad Charlie stood up for the team guys.

This entire episode is especially sad considering the history of SF's experience with JTACCs and the Air Force thinking something that flies up where the blue meets the black is a "Close" air-support platform.

[ddoering]

The Airforce doesn't like the CAS mission. Too dangerous and not as flashy as flying at mach 3 spitting missiles at other fighters. I'm sure they will rebuttal Charly's findings and call it unfair. Then they will institute a new medal to assuage their bruised egos.

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by ddoering

The Airforce doesn't like the CAS mission. Too dangerous and not as flashy as flying at mach 3 spitting missiles at other fighters. I'm sure they will rebuttal Charly's findings and call it unfair. Then they will institute a new medal to assuage their bruised egos.

Yes indeed they do.

The Air Force, against stiff resistance in Congress, is attempting to retire the one plane dedicated to close air support — the storied A-10 Warthog. The Air Force has listed the B-1B as one of its replacements.

I just love this thinking here. WTH is the USAF Generals thinking??!!

[The Reaper]

There is the wisdom of the AF leadership again, supporting use of a STRATEGIC bomber to perform CAS, however poorly.

Cut the mission and the assets out of the AF and transfer them to the Army. It isn't like the AF cares about it. Its only justification for fighters and bombers to them. Remember the F-15E "Strike Eagle" CAS platform?

TR

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

There is the wisdom of the AF leadership again, supporting use of a STRATEGIC bomber to perform CAS, however poorly.

Cut the mission and the assets out of the AF and transfer them to the Army. It isn't like the AF cares about it. Its only justification for fighters and bombers to them. Remember the F-15E "Strike Eagle" CAS platform?

TR

Hey I much rather have a F-15E "Strike Eagle" or F-16 or F-18 as a CAS platform then a STRATEGIC BOMBER!!

06ish we had a B-1B that came down under 5,000 AGL to do a "Show of Force" after going "Winchester." We all were laughing after the CCT guy said what was happening over the radio. It still scared (Engine noise) the crap out of the Afghans, all of them. You never see that happening today.

AC-130, A-10, AH-64 and OH-58 Kiowa are the only platforms that really gives us great CAS. I'm waiting for the Army to get a UAV styled after the OH-58 Kiowa since its going away. That was the many reason for scarping the OH-58 Kiowa fleet.

[CSB]

Hey I much rather have a F-15E "Strike Eagle" or F-16 or F-18 as a CAS platform then a STRATEGIC BOMBER!!

Until the F-15 Strike Eagles shoot down two Blackhawk helicopters, and the Air Force, as usual, refuses to find anyone guilty.

April 14, 1994.

Captain Eric Wickson and Lieutenant Colonel Randy W. May - may you live forever.

[SouthernDZ]

RIP COL Jerald Thompson, my former Commander - 1/5th SFGA.

[Peregrino]

Thanks to C3 for salvaging the best of a bad situation. Sadly, this isn't the only issue arising from USAF "politicians".

[Ret10Echo]

Rest in Peace, SSG Ricky Robinson and SSG Paul Barclay. A Company, 2nd Battalion 10th SFG

April 14, 1994

Not forgotten