A B-1B Lancer similar to this one dropped two bombs on a ridgeline where five American soldiers and one Afghan soldier were located. All were killed in the friendly fire incident in June.(Photo: Master Sgt. Ben Bloker, U.S. Air Force)
Report: Bombs Killed U.S. Soldiers After Location Mix-Up -- USA Today
A friendly fire incident that killed five American soldiers and one Afghan soldier in June
was caused by failures from the "key members" of the ground team
who called in an airstrike from a B-1B Lancer, according to an accident investigation report released Thursday.
A team of U.S. and Afghan soldiers was providing security for the Afghan runoff elections on June 9 in the area of Arghandab when one of the teams came under attack. During the attack, key leaders, including an Air Force joint terminal attack controller and the ground force commander, mixed up friendly and enemy locations and incorrectly believed that the bomber's targeting system could identify friendly locations.
Read more ....
Update #1: Mistaken US bombing that killed 5 Americans blamed on miscommunication -- FOX News/AP
Update #2: Report: B-1B bombs killed U.S. soldiers after location mix-up -- Marine Times
My Comment: Our prayers are with the families and loved ones.
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