Discussion: US Official: Afghans Requested Airstrike That Hit Medical Center, Killing 22

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Discussion for article #241398

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I don’t know why they feel they have to immediately come up with a response instead of doing their work in getting to the bottom of it before responding. This makes then look even worse.

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Anyone with half a brain knew this was a “danger close” close air support mission. You call in heat when you’re pinned and likely to be wiped out. There’s not much time to think or plan. At that point its all chaos.

There’s NO WAY to eliminate an enemy like the Taliban in a dense urban center other than street to street use of infantry. Its the most dangerous kind of fighting you can do. I was an infantryman in the jungle and I could not have more respect for the men who walk those streets and alleys. But when I got heat we just wiped out a grid square with TAC air or artillery. The only collateral death was in monkeys and mosquitoes.

Not for these guys. They are feet from an enemy that will stop at nothing to kill them. Low on ammo, most tied up with an injured comrade and near blind with fear. So you call in a “danger close” and hope you don’t get snuffed with all the rest. My guess it was urgency that led to the errant strike on the hospital. Flyboys are very dedicated and they want you to come home alive. So they act fast and do the best they can. And as much as the TPM’ers might want to disbelieve…they are sickened by collateral death.

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Its my guess if they kept quite as you say they’d be condemned for that. Its called damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Its a very popular game.

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I smell neocons.

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Well said, experience usually leads to an intelligent response. And yes, anyone who thinks DoD loves collateral damage is just being childish.

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If they get asked a question, they need to respond. If they don’t, they be accused of a coverup, etc. So far I’d say the response has been very professional. They give out important info, but have not said anything is definitive yet (that comes after investigation is complete).

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From someone on the ground who has lived there for 7 years…

She knows what is happening…