Montpelier, Vermont (AP) - On March 29, 2006, Canadian Private Robert Costall (a gunner) and US Sergeant First Class Thomas Stone (a medic) were accidentally killed by 'friendly fire' in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. -- Note: There is hardly anything 'friendly' about so-called 'friendly fire' (a.k.a. fratricide). -- Canada, the US and Afghanistan all launched investigative probes immediately.
Fifteen months later the US military has acknowledged that investigations are complete and the causes of death are now releasable to the public.
US Central Command released the report two days ago in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the Associated Press. Apparently, the Defense Department had little desire to release the information unless forced to do so. In fact, the report looks to have been stuffed in a drawer by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld with the words "Do not open until Christmas" scribbled on it.
The contributing factors cited in the accident were confusion and fatigue, rather than failure to follow the cardinal rules:
- Don't point your weapon at anything you don't want to shoot.
- Know what you are shooting at (and what is behind it).
- Squeeze the trigger only when ready to shoot the intended target.
This news story will not get nearly the same attention as the Pat Tillman incident, so it merits mention here.
