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From The Times

August 25, 2007

US bomb kills three British troops in worst ‘friendly fire’ since 1991

Michael Evans, Defence Editor

The British and American military were trying urgently last night to uncover who was to blame for the friendly-fire attack in southern Afghanistan that left three soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment dead and two seriously injured.

Two US Air Force F15s that flew to the rescue of about 60 soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglians after they were ambushed by the Taleban were providing highly risky close-air support when a single 500lb bomb was dropped on to the British fighting position in error.

Three soldiers were killed in the blast. The two injured were taken by Chinook helicopter to Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand province. The incident took place in twilight in an undulating area in the northwest corner of Kajaki, a few miles from a hydroelectric dam that is being renovated and expanded to provide electricity for the whole province.

The investigation is focusing on whether the American pilots were given a wrong grid reference for the British positions or misread the data supplied to them or dropped a bomb by mistake. Military sources said that it was a British Army board of inquiry but the Americans would be expected to give full co-operation.

It was the most serious friendly-fire case involving British and American military personnel since the 1991 Gulf War, when US A10 tankbusting aircraft attacked a British convoy in the Kuwaiti desert, killing nine soldiers.

Lieutenant-Colonel Claudia Foss, a spokeswoman for Nato’s International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) which is in charge of the 37-nation mission in Afghanistan, said: “Isaf is committed to finding out exactly how this tragedy occurred and how similar incidents can be avoided.”

The US Embassy in London said: “The United States expresses its deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the soldiers who died and we wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.”

The deaths will be a huge blow for the regiment which had already lost six of its members in the past four months. The toll of nine soldiers from one regiment in such a short period is the worst suffered by a single battalion since Operation Herrick, the campaign in Afghanistan, began in 2001.

The last to die from the Royal Anglians was on August 11 when Captain David Hicks was killed during an attack by the Taleban on his patrol base northeast of Sangin in Helmand province. The first British soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2001 was also from the Royal Anglians: Private Darren George was killed on April 9, 2002, after an incident during a security patrol in Kabul.

On Thursday evening the 60 soldiers from the Royal Anglians set off from their forward base in Kajaki on foot to search for hidden Taleban fighters. They were walking a few feet apart on farmland, with a wadi near by, when the Taleban, armed with Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenades, opened fire from a number of concealed positions. Military sources said that it was “classic ambush territory”.

The commander of the unit called for air support, and the two F15s, which were already airborne, arrived shortly. A single 500lb bomb, intended for Taleban positions, was released.

The three soldiers were killed instantly in the explosion. The two wounded were given provisional first aid before being flown by helicopter to Camp Bastion where one soldier was described as “very seriously injured” and the other as “seriously injured”. The deaths brought to 73 the number of British fatalities in Afghanistan since 2001.

A spokesman for the British military in Helmand said: “The circumstances of what actually happened we are now investigating. There are a handful of \ reasons why this tragic incident has happened and we are not in a position at the moment to find out exactly what happened.”

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told the BBC that he was very saddened by the death of “the three brave men who were tragically killed”. He promised a thorough investigation.

Friendly-fire incidents involving US aircraft

— 1991 A US A10 “tankbuster” launched an attack on a British armoured patrol during the Gulf War, killing six soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and three from The Queen’s Own Highlanders

— 1994 A Nato delegation of 26 people, including two British Army officers, Major Harry Shapland and Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Swann, died when their US Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq by American fighters

— 2002 Four Canadian soldiers were killed in Kandahar when a US F16 dropped a laser-guided bomb on their position

— 2003 15 people died when US aircraft attacked a Kurdish and US special forces convoy in northern Iraq. John Simpson of the BBC was injured

— 2003 Flight Lieutenants Kevin Main and David Williams, the pilot and navigator of an RAF Tornado GR4, were killed when a US Patriot missile battery unit opened fire, believing their aircraft to be an Iraqi missile

— 2003 Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, of the Household Cavalry was killed when a US A10 aircraft, attacked his convoy in southern Iraq. The British vehicles had identification panels, but the US pilot thought they were Iraqi rockets

— 2005 Nicola Calipari, an Italian agent, died when US forces opened fire on his car in Baghdad after he helped to rescue a kidnapped journalist

— 2006 A Canadian soldier was killed when two US A10s attacked Nato forces in southern Afghanistan

For those of you who have never been in battle, a mistake like this may seem unbelievable. The fact of the matter is that war is a dynamic and difficult endeavor where confusion is common and mistakes are fatal. I have lived and fought along side the Brits and they are like brothers to me. For those that pretend to understand what combat is like, I beg you to wait until the investigation is complete. It is easy to sit in your home and bash the American Aircrew or that British Controller that requested the bomb. Something went terribly wrong but we don't know what. No matter what is said, we've lost 3 young men and those involved will most likely never forgive themselves regardless of fault.

If you think you could never make such a mistake, I beg you to put on a uniform, take a substantial pay cut, work longer hours, risk your life, and spend 6 months out of every year away from your loved ones while getting shot at. I doubt many of you have the stomach for such a sacrifice

ISW, Cambridge, UK

I note that some Americans are bleating the same old nonsense "well if you think the USAF are dangrous why call em, call for your precious RAF, blah de blah?"
These kind of statements merely confirm what little your average American understands of world affairs
This operation. although instigated by the Americans, is now a NATO operation. Areas of operation are designated to different nations, but in some cases it will be up to another country to provide air cover for another. So all this nonsense about "well if you think their dangerous don't use em" is not even open to debate. The point is the troops on the grund and under fire have no choice, they have to use the resources assigned by NATO. I'm sure if given the choic they would prefer cover from our own foces.
I remember a saying going around when I was in the forces and it was: "The brits say "go native and win the hearts and minds" The Americans say kill all the natives and we can get a BX built"

Charlie, Gloucester, England

We are all mad people, everyone who voted for W and Duck.

Michael Prior, Baltimore,

It saddens me deeply that lives have been lost and families are grieving over this tragic accident. What hurts even more is all the name-calling, finger-pointing and hurtful comments by citizens of America, Britian, Australia, and Canada. As an American, I love and respect each of these countries deeply as we are so much alike. Tragically, what we mostly share in common is a superiority complex as exemplified by the comments I have thus far read. Please take heed people, this kind of squabbering is exactly what the insurgents and terrorists want to happen. Don't you see? It makes us weak, vulnerable, and worst of all; easy targets.

Let a full investigation take place and hopefully provide us with insight and answers to our questions. I can't help but wonder how anyone who has never been in the same situation as those American flyers could possibly understand what took place in Afghaninstan. God bless those brave fallen british soilders! Let's remember them always...

Renee S., Woodbury, MN, USA

Fog of war itâ€™s called.
And I supposed that this kind of thing does happen.
But 40 people in 15 years should set off a few bells.
Close air support is dangerous at best and sometimes you have to take your chances.
But the onus is always on the man who pulls the trigger.
Better checks should be taken
I really canâ€™t imagine an American pilot wanting to kill his friends on the ground.
Let us hope that the learn from this.

Ralph , Montreal, Canada

Speaking as a proud American I can say it wasn't the us dropping the bombs, it was al-Qaeda. Thats right, al-Qaeda. And maybe the Taliban too. And they were helped by the Communists. Thats right, al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the Commies. And the American pinko Liberals were in on it too.

And our loyal "freedom fighters" were trying to save them, but our boys dropped the speed issued by our forces to keep the awake for days and when they looked up, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, the Commies and the Liberals were bombing our poodle--ooops, I mean allies.

And Satan. Thats right. Satan was in on it too. Sweet Jesus it was Satan too. Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Commies, Liberals and Satan.
_______________

And Jefferson is spinning in his grave.

James Sibal, Kew Gardens, , NY USA

Let the taliban retire and wait till the US kills everybody,including themselves. My father said in WW2 Aussies ' were more worried about the Ãanks than the Nips.'

They're still no better, apparently.

kelly, sydney,

Is it a matter of training? poor discipline? how often do u see friendly fire coming from uk or other troops killing allied forces? The occurence from US forces is all to recurrent. War is hell, but why make it worse.

neil, oxford, united kingdom

Sir,
"We're in jail dude!"
Please tell me NOT again.

SC, London, United Kingdom

The vast majority of these friendly fire incidents resulted in the deaths of Americans. So don't try to make it seem like the crazy Yanks are trying to kill off the Brits.

Hailee Mohawee, Cleveland, USA/ OHIO

I once knew an old man who had served in the US Navy as a forward air spotter in the Pacific theater of WWII. He flew a ship launched biplane, unarmed, over the battle lines. Thirtyfive years later he was still deeply shaken by the errors that had sometimes put shells down on the marine positions. Those pilots had to dodge the flak while comparing aerial maps with what they saw on the ground, and calling in the positions to the naval gunners, who in turn had to fire while the ships were moving up and down, pitching, yawing, rolling, steaming in zig zags to avoid torpedos.

John, Riverside, CA USA

Has the UK killed any US soldiers with friendly fire?

David, Cardiff, Wales

Who is "getting butchered by the tired and frustrated American troops"? The schools that are rigged with hidden bombs? Women at vegetable markets? Woman who's burkas are not long enough or their sandals make too much noise for the peace loving..., well let us just end the sentence there. Why is it that the tribes are turning and fighting the enemies of Peace, USA? Husbands and fathers on their way to work on the subways/tubes? Will you think of Spain? India has no troops in this war but they have enough "butchered" of their own that they ought to be. Oh yes how many times has a 500 pounder turned a battle?

Brian Puetz, North Augusta, USA

Yes what great "friends" they are .

Simon, Brighton, UK

WHAT I REMEMBER FROM THE KOREAN WAR, OUR TROOPS WOULD BE FAR SAFER IF WE WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE U.S SEEN TO KILL MORE OF OUR TROOPS THEN THE EMENY?

ALFRED W LANCASTER, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

neil, oxford, united kingdo

Why do british soldiers have to go on patrol like this? Are the Taliban the only Afghans who fight ?

Fernando Leza, Caracas, Venezuela.

If they are not Americans, than it must be collateral damage. Tough luck for families of those killed.

Kanoongoo, London,UK,

I'm curious why the Nicola Calipari incident was reported on this article as it clearly lists "Friendly fire incidents involving US Aircraft". Was it simply thrown in there because of the controversy that was associated with it? Since no US Aircraft were involved in that incident, unless you include the UAV which recorded the car traveling at a very high rate of speed while it was approaching the checkpoint.

Scott, Omaha, NE

the British government is to blame and so is the MOD! The NuLabour regime has just thrown away dozens of Jaguar ground attack jets AND their highly trained pilots! WHY? The socialists have tried to run the war on the cheap and now that is costing lives! Do not blame the Americans for this because the fault is with the British government for not providing our troops with its own air support!
For Gods sake, Great Britain is a first world country and the 4th richest nation on earth and yet our Armed Forces have to go begging foreigners for close air support! WHY?
The Army has the most advanced helicopter gunships in the world so where were they? Where were the Tornado GR4 jets?where are the Typhoon jets?Where are the Harrier GR7 jets? Where were the Hawk ground attack aircraft? The MOD has blood on its hands because they have skimped and saved on costs to the point where lives are being lost and that is criminal!

Stephanie clague, Larnaca, Cyprus

For heavens sake lets get a proper "Friend or Foe" ID system in place,NOW not next week, next year or whenever.The Americans have a well deserved reputation for being trigger happy, and are certainly not known for learning their lesson from previous incidents causing loss of life.
To me with GPS readily available, radio beacons,lasers etc surely there must be a solution already available.If its down to purely cost, and they havent been introduced for that very reason, then those responsible should be truly ashamed of themselves.

Iain Chapman, Marciac, France

Damn cowboys fire so much ammo they can't keep track. Every army has a blue on blue incidents but the american forces go one giant leap forward to ruin your day. Theres an a great old saying of "look before you leap" BUSH TAKE NOTE!!!!

ste, wales, UK

Who was it that said after WW2:
When the British bomb the Germans run for cover,
When the Germans bomb the English run for cover and
when the Americans bomb, everyone runs for cover...

Mike, Duesseldorf, Germany

More from kill-hungry American jet jockies.

Just imagine what consideration the locals get from them.

JOHN CHUCKMAN, Toronto, Canada

Using an F15E strike Eagle for CAS role on a soft target is very risky especially as the Mk 82 500 lb is unguided. These aircraft are flying in high and fast to avoid RPGs and will most likly pre programmed the bomb release based on the Co ordinates given by the forward ground controller. Before anyone hangs the Pilots / Weapon System operator out to dry, one must ask the question whether the info they were given was correct.

Jon Berry, Glasgow,

The British and Canadian troops are in Afghanistan to protect the BTC pipeline and Afghani opium production. The whole thing is a criminal operation. Why is anyone surprised when armed goons occasionally murder some of their own through sloppy procedure?

Freaky Dick's Chimp, Nashville, TN

Our troops should not be there. It's not our war. Let the Afghanistan people sort out their own problems or perish. Bring our troops home and never ever allow a Labour Government to commit troops to ANY war without the overwhelming majority of the House of Commons AND House of Lords agreeing.

gordon, Vierzon, France,

If British troops actually participate in the Iraq war rather than watch it from the sidelines and arm Shiite fundamentalists, I would imagine US troops will be less inclined to fire at British soldiers again.

You Brits are not pulling your weight in either places, so expect more ff incidents in the future or leave please.

Brad, Houston, TX

Not again.

Rodney Barker, Gainsborough, England U.K.

"US bomb kills three British troops in worst â€˜friendly fireâ€™ since 1991"

Phew ! Lucky they wern't Israelis...

bob, nevada, usa

Would all those Americans which slated our decision to leave Iraq and that we have also "Lost" in Iraq, please post some more comments now?

Adrian, Aldershot, U.K.

Apparently there were 60 young men on the ground fighting for their lives in very close quarters. They called other young men in extremely fast airplanes to quickly put terrible, lethal ordnance in exactly the right spot very close to them and exactly NOT the wrong spot.

This is tricky business and in the heat of battle the young men on the ground or the young men in the air got something fatally wrong.

And we don't know which yet.

May God rest the souls of the fallen and comfort their families, and provide strength to the wounded. And if the young man that made the mistake survived, may He help that man forgive himself.

Agim Zabeli, Hyderabad, India

My prayers are with the families of these servicemen unfortunately as with Iraq it is a war that cannot be won and the government should pull out all British Forces before others get killed or injured
Brave men have given their lives for the freedom of others RIP

ossie, koh phangan suratthani 84280, Thailand

What is wrong about the war in Afghanistan? Does anyone doubt that the Taleban are a cruel and oppressive death cult? Or that removing them from the levers of power was not an objective worthy of a 'just' war? Does anyone doubt that they sheltered and supported Bin Laden or that the hunt for him and the dismantling of his organisation was not a mission worthy of our troops? This loss of our own is a bitter tragedy, but historians know that there have been 'blue on blue' deaths for as long as there has been war. It is yet another awful sacrifice, but for a just cause.

Nathan Fane, London,

If there is any blame to go around. it has to be with our governments for the past 20 odd years of crippling, unrelenting cuts to our military, to the point of using a foreign Air Force for help.

Josef A Jurkiewicz, cape elizabeth, US of A

Ooooh, quick, an opportunity to participate in some Yank bashing...never mind the fact that there are probably countless times that our troops have relied on air support from them and they've saved lives. Perhaps if our government sent more than a handful of aircraft out there we wouldn't have to rely on the Americans and we could avoid this kind of incident. We have 7 Harrier GR 7's out there and a few helicopters meanwhile we're mothballing/retiring the Jaguar aircraft and we seem reluctant to send Tornado's.
The government need to supply and support our troops to the best of their ability, not throw defence money into hapless pan-european projects.

Chris, Cheltenham, UK

The MOD are to blame and not the USAF pilots! Why? because the MOD has been running the war on the cheap by rationing the use of the British Armys helicpter gunships to save money! AND the MOD has just thrown away dozens of Jaguar ground attack aircraft and their highly exprienced pilots also to save money! The British forces even have used the 2nd line hawk trainer/ground attack plane but again the MOD tried to save money by begging air support from the Americans!
The MOD has blood on its hands and they are responsible alone for the lack of air cover! Who gave the order to ration the use of the apache gunships? Who decided to throw away dozens of Jaguar ground attack aircraft?
The British forces have to beg steal and borrow kit to fight the Afghan war and its not the fault of the USA, Its the penny pinching and incompetent MOD/government that killed those troops and its those commisars sitting in their comfy offices who should pay the price for this tragedy!

Stephanie clague, Larnaca, Cyprus

Why did our troops have to call in the USAF's F15s ? The British Army has a significant fleet of Apache attack helicopters that can provide fire spport from a powerful cannon (aka Chain Gun) and Hellfire guided missiles. The Apaches do not have to come tearing in from the wide blue yonder; they can hover and take a little time to get the target in the sights precisely.

Might the part-timer who wears the Minister of Defence hat explain why our men were not backed up by those Pricy helicopters. He has a lot more explaining to do but this question should be top priority.

Davidka

W D Toulman, Walkington,

"""... worst â€˜friendly fireâ€™ since 1991..."""

What do you mean "worst 'friendly fire'"? The Americans have killed more Canadian soldiers with one bomb than they have ever killed British soldiers (and they even managed to injure more at the same time).

At least the government of the US actually offered apologies to YOUR government and sympathy to the families of YOUR troops in a reasonably timely manner and without having to be shamed into it - which is more than you can say for the way that they treated the Canadian deaths.

On the other hand, you can console yourself that the three dead soldiers will probably be awarded the Bronze Star by the government of the United States of America (as it seems to do to all of the allied military personnel it kills).

The Universal Curmudgeon, Vancouver, Canada

I was a FAC during Vietnam. If you are competent, friendly airborne artillery is extremely effective, otherwise you can become the target.

Jon Tid, New Bern, NC USA

All it takes is for every battalion who goes out fighting to carry a encrypted GPS beacon and have the air support monitor this signal before dumping bombs. But of course this simple measure evades the great military minds that are and distracts them from prosecuting unnecessary and idiotic war elsewhere.
How many British and Canadian soldiers have to die before some change in bombing operations takes place. Incidents like this erode public support and put governments in extremely difficult positions.

Paul T, Medford,

"Getting Butchered" - Daholi in California ought to do some real reading and just see who is doing the "butchering" in Afghanistan and other areas.

Jean, centreville, va

What do you expect from the US forces? Many are reservists .

Chris, Victoria, Canada,

I was a FAC during Vietnam. If you are competent, friendly airborne artillery is extremely effective, otherwise you can become the target.

Jon Tid, New Bern, NC USA

The war in Afghanistan is just as wrong as the war in Iraq. The U.S. will lose both wars in due course. In the meantime, many innocent civilians will be killed.

Mark Read Pickens, Manchester, New Hampshire

It is interesting to note that whenever it is reported that the US air force has killed civilians in Afghanistan, the US military denies this, either claiming that the victims were all armed or declaiming the casualty numbers, or blaming the Taliban for seeking shelter amidst the civilian population. In keeping with this spirit we should presume that only two British troops were killed, that they probably opened fire on the American aircraft, and that the Taliban are ultimately responsible for this debacle because they were trying to seek shelter amidst the British positions. The most important thing is to remember that our American cousins are never responsible for the consequences of their own actions.

John Puckett, Victoria, British Columbia

Can anyone explain what was "friendly" about the bomb which killed and injured these soldiers?

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Our condolences and sympathy must go to the soldiers families whose sons were killed in this tragic incident, sadly when you engage in warfare these things happen, let us not forget also that the American pilot has to live with this for the rest of his life whether it was his fault or not.

Dave, Rugby, England

god bless the families of these fallen soldiers and UK we pray for a speedy recovery for your wounded. john, do not use this incident to promote your political views. how dare you. while our warriors are in harms way in afgan. and iraq, terrorist are busy shooting at them instead of you in ontario. so enjoy your freedom and safety, it comes at a high price. press on royal anglian regiment we support you and many thanks for your service.

joe, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA

well considering millions of iraqis and afghans have been killed , its a mere drop in the oceon.

gg, leeds, o

To the families our sincerest apologies.
Unfortunately these sorts of incidents happen. Investigations will more that likely turn up human error. No one will be as shook up as the chap found to have made the error. He will live with the findings the rest of his natural life.
Let us not let our resolve be shaken, by the press's take.
War is after all Hell. Let us learn from our mistakes, But let us continue to take the fight to the enemy.

Tony Betancourt, Richmond,, Texas

"It is all the more devastating for everyone because we have been working with the US Air Force a great many times during the time that we have been out here," he told the BBC. "The bombs dropped by American aircraft have saved the lives of hundreds of British troops."

Jim, kabul, afghanistan

Unless the USA and UK stop illegal War in Iraq and send their troops to Afghanistan to fight a real War, the UK and others who are in Afghanistan are getting butchered by the tired and frustrated American troops.

John Dahodi, Ontario, california