11B3VB4, if you are indeed an American soldier
I am that, I normally stay on
www.military.com with my fellow soldiers. But this link was posted and I felt I should express my sympathies. My screen name is the same on mil.com and you can ask anyone about me. I have also provided a link to my simple web page if that would provide you any additional information.
how would you respond to the allegation that American military are trigger happy?
I can't... I wasn't there and the reports are sketchy. From what I have read it sounds like the pilot made a serious error in judgment, if not criminal error. I don't think all pilots are hotshots, but I don't know that many pilots to form an accurate judgment of them as a whole.
As for the checkpoint incident, I'll back the soldiers. I know the ROE they use and the procedures they follow. From what I have heard they did as they were instructed to do. The loss of life is tragic, but this incident seems at this point to have been unavoidable.
Yes mate, if you are what you say you are, it took a pair of balls to come on here and post something like that.
I am expressing the sadness and frustration with this incident, any screw up by any military irritates me to no extent. Stupid mistakes (as this appears to be) make it that much worse. I'm not here to explain the incident, as I was not a flyer. But apologies should have been forwarded immediately regardless of the situation.
Is that the common feeling amongst your men or are they as blasé as usual.
I can't speak for others, myself I've become a bit cold over the years. Not many things do I feel require apologies, as it is war. This thought, is an instance when it should have been immediate and heart felt.
I know I can't say anything to change the feelings here, I would not dream of trying. I served for 12 years as an Infantryman; I know the groundside of war not the flying. I will not say I have the utmost respect for our pilots, incidents happen more often than they should. I can't explain why, and I won't excuse it.
I can only say I have seen it before, and more than once. In both war and peacetime training, the Air Force has a serious problem and it needs to be fixed. I have had a 500lb (practice) bomb land within 100' of my men and me. We didn't know it was a practice bomb until it had impacted, I know they make dumb mistakes!
I can only hope that those responsible stand up and accept what they have coming. I consider very few countries trustworthy, England being at the top of the list. I would hate to have an event like this, create mistrust between our soldiers. Thought I can't think of what else it could create. I know I watch every aircraft in my AO, just out of experiences. I don't trust fliers; they are too removed from their killing.
My sympathies to the men, their families and friends, as well as your entire nation and service force. This wasn't meant as a ballsy move, but rather one of humility and brotherhood.
