The Pentagon says Marines in Afghanistan and the crew controlling the drone in Nevada were unaware analysts watching the firefight via live video in Indiana had doubts about the targets' identity.
A Marine and a Navy medic killed in the first known case of U.S friendly fire casualties from a drone strike were targeted when Marine commanders in Afghanistan mistook them for Taliban fighters, even though analysts watching the Predator's live video feed were uncertain if the men were part of an enemy force.
Those are the findings of a Pentagon investigation into the April 6 deaths of Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Smith, 26, and Navy Hospitalman Benjamin D. Rast, 23. The 381-page report concludes that the Marine officers and the Air Force crew controlling the unmanned aircraft from half a world away were unaware that analysts watching the firefight unfold via live video at a third location had doubts about the targets' identity.
more...
U.S. deaths in drone strike due to miscommunication, report finds - latimes.com
A Marine and a Navy medic killed in the first known case of U.S friendly fire casualties from a drone strike were targeted when Marine commanders in Afghanistan mistook them for Taliban fighters, even though analysts watching the Predator's live video feed were uncertain if the men were part of an enemy force.
Those are the findings of a Pentagon investigation into the April 6 deaths of Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Smith, 26, and Navy Hospitalman Benjamin D. Rast, 23. The 381-page report concludes that the Marine officers and the Air Force crew controlling the unmanned aircraft from half a world away were unaware that analysts watching the firefight unfold via live video at a third location had doubts about the targets' identity.
more...
U.S. deaths in drone strike due to miscommunication, report finds - latimes.com
