Accidents kill many U.S. soldiers in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_2938.shtml

--snip--

By far, motor vehicle accidents are the most prevalent, claiming 46 American lives. One of those soldiers was run over by a tank while he was sleeping, three perished when their truck fell into a ravine, one died when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle plunged over a cliff and at least seven were killed in vehicle rollovers.

Next most common were accidents involving explosives and weapons, which have caused 27 fatalities. Those included a soldier killed when a ricocheting bullet at a small-arms training range in Iraq triggered a fire, another who died when his rifle discharged as he was putting it away and two killed when a munitions bunker caught fire and exploded.

Warplane or helicopter accidents account for 23 deaths, virtually all of which happened during the intense combat phase of the war, even though many of the mishaps did not occur in battle. That marks an improvement over the aviation toll in the first Persian Gulf War in 1990-91, when at least 38 died that way.

At least seven troops have drowned in canals or rivers. One was electrocuted. And at least another eight have perished in "friendly fire" incidents, such as the April 2 accidental downing of a Navy FA-18C fighter by a U.S. Patriot missile, and the death two weeks later of a Marine corporal shot by American gunners who mistook him for an enemy soldier.

--snip--

And the military is bracing for even more accidental deaths when troops now in Iraq come home. Off-duty mishaps usually increase among newly returned troops who can be accident-prone because of fatigue or too much celebrating.

[newyorican]

1. So-called "accidents"

I would guess some jihadis are bringing it on as requested.

[Ripley]

2. Good Grief!!! Their truck fell into a ravine?

The Bradley plunged over a cliff? This sounds like the plot for a "B" action movie...I didn't even know they had ravines and cliffs in Iraq.

I know accidents happen, but cmon, this is too many accidents, or our heroic fighting machine is manned by some pretty incompetent people.

And is that for real..."newly returned troops who can be accident-prone" because they drank too much???????????????????????? Glad I don't live near a base.

[Robbien]

3. Just read in turningtables blog

that he was stopped for speeding and was told to slow his jeep down otherwise he may have an accident. He was going 15 mph.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. Yes, indeed..."accidents" as explained by the media...

...who get the information from???

[hang a left]

5. Stinky, stinky

bullshit!

[Ernesto]

6. I agree,

Way too many vehicle accidents. On the other hand, the supply routes are very long. Just another minor detail that the stupidest president in US history was incapable of understanding.

[tabasco]

7. Accidents are always a major cause of casualties in war

The number in Iraq is consistent with other conflicts. Operations at night account for a large number of mishaps. It is a fast moving environment and accidents are inevitable. The military has placed a very high emphasis on safety, but has been largely unsuccessful in reducing the amount of accidents. It is not a conspiracy, this is just another terrible consequence of war. More reason for us to deliberate carefully before deciding to launch a war. The criminal Bush administration chose to go to war without considering all the consequences.

[Sick of Bullshit]

8. Ahhhh, but this is no longer a "war", remember?

Bu$$$h said so himself in his flight suit on the U.S.S. Lincoln on May 1.

Sooo, the war's been over for more than 4 months!
:crazy:

[zekeson]

9. So, add 113 US dead to the official total

Then, find out how many young men and women have died of their injuries post leaving the war, but haven't managed their way to the official death toll. 100 here, 100 there, pretty soon you're talking about real men and women.

* needs to go!

[cliss]

10. I hate to say it, but

I've heard that many soldiers are now getting hurt "accidentally on purpose". This was from the soldiers themselves. They hate being in Iraq so much, that they're willing to injure themselves, not permanently, but enough so that they will get sent home.

Wouldn't you?