The ridiculous inaccuracy of the US drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan has taken another turn for the worse. Reports are now emerging that a US drone strike in Helmand Province actually killed two US soldiers. The official explanation is that they were mistaken for Taliban,
US air strikes mistaking Afghan police or soldiers for Taliban are fairly common, and sometimes US aircraft will see a bunch of children gathering firewood and think “Taliban.” Having US drones firing US missiles at US soldiers leaves one wondering how little confirmation is actually needed before missiles are fired.
The Pentagon has yet to confirm the story, but says the killings are under investigation. They confirmed the deaths in Helmand but never explained how they happened. According to the reports US Marines on the ground had come under fire called for backup and, when the backup troops approached them, called in the strike.
Air strikes have dramatically escalated in Afghanistan over the past several months, since Gen. David Petraeus took over the command of the war and removed a number of restrictions put in place by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Since then the number of high profile civilian killing incidents has also soared.
I really don't care about ussa (nato) soldiers, they are poison anyway.
This is AntiWAR.com here. You clearly don't get it. War is bad for everyone. The shoe has been on the other foot many many times. No one is sanctified. All are sinners. We should all of us pray for mercy.. and that is for all of us, not just some.
What about "kill team" in Afghanistan (there is more than one), cawords in the sky killing children. Shame on them, they are not real soldiers, they are monsters.
Thank you Wootie Berster. We as a nation should pray for peace because our Government is ran by satan and his likens.
Soldiering is a dangerous occupation. Something for military aged young men to consider before they join.
Pirating is a dangerous occupation. Something for military fools to consider before they join
Isen't it grand that the UNIVERSE has its own idea of JUSTICE.
People who live by the sword will die by the sword.
Still does not make up for the hundred of thousands of innocent people killed by US drones.
But at least its something.
Jason, you write that this is "a turn for the worse." But one could argue that the drone accuracy is really getting "better."
Truly, it was WORSE when drone killed civilians or mistook allies for enemies. Now that the drones are killing U.S., they're finally targeting the bad guys.
Bobby! Obama is seeking a speach writer–go for it :^)
With all the advances in technology the Pentagon has purchased over the years to make war-making easier and faster and more lethal there still remains the point in the equation where a human being interfaces with the technology. I have no idea what the requirements are for the humans who "drive" the drones but the fact that the military has been lowering the "minimum" requirements for enlistment aught to raise an eyebrow. Yes, I know, the lower bar was intended mainly for the ground-pounders, where someone with a history of personal mayhem in civilian life might translate nicely into the ranks (where you might get something like the "kill team" currently under prosecution in Washington state).
My point is that humans make mistakes and we always will. To eliminate these types of mistakes (completely unfathomable to conceive that this instance was intentional), the only way to stop it from happening is to GET THE F*&% OUT OF THIS WAR!!! NOW!! NOT NEXT YEAR!!! NOW!!!
Sorry for yelling but this really is a no brainer. But, that's just this old curmudgeon's opinion…
The more datail investigation might descover thet the guy with joystick is screwing the wife of the guy on the ground killed by drone…
a new form of fraging
Add missiles. Mix. Enjoy
a new refreshing beverage
So glad we pay thousands of dollars a missile, millions a drone, millions a pilot, hundreds of thousands a soldier, just to pit them against eachother. And we wonder why the governement, and our states and towns, are broke?
There ya go. That's what I call poetic justice. However, they must have thought they were kids picking up wood.
I'm wondering how the deaths of the Marines will be classified, as 'Friendly Fire' or 'Collateral Damage'. Since the Marines were positively identified as Taliban, will the US government deny the usual death benefits and pay the families the customary $2,500 they give Afghan families when they lose loved ones?
As a former Marine myself, my heart goes out to the families left behind; having a loved one killed in a war- or for any reason- is a terrible thing; when that person's death is due to someone's flawed judgement the gravity of the situation is that much more.
I do have certain reservations about the incident, though- reservations in the form of wondering when those responsible, of all ranks, are investigated and brought to trial. I have no doubt the lowest-ranking man will be sacrificed, though, just as has been the case across the board for military mistakes and excesses.
Whether we realise it or not, the invasion and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and the relentless drone bombing of those two countries plus Pakistan are gradually brutalizing us all, participants as well as observers.
Why else would I cheer when I first read this headline, along with some of the other posters? Now I wonder what the fuck I was thinking, besides for a few brief seconds of 'Yeah, serves 'em right. See how they like it!' What is the damage being done to the human psyche by these never-ending wars and relentless bloodletting of the US/UK/EU, does anybody know? Anyone care to take a guess?
As long as the psychopaths remain in power, and that includes that evil git Petreaus, nothing will change. As long as decent men and women (of any religion or nationality) stay too apathetic to drag these monsters out into the light of day to give them, one and all, their Ceaucescu moment, nothing will change.
God damn to Hell those insane scientists who invented this hellish weaponry and their evil political masters. And a special place in Hell for the inhumane braindead pathetic cowards who fire these drones.
“What is the damage being done to the human psyche by these never-ending wars and relentless bloodletting of the US/UK/EU, does anybody know? Anyone care to take a guess?”- dean
To program people to become apathetic; non-caring, weary, and with don’t-care attitude – submissive to their One World Order.