U.S. Central Command: No review of 2007 helo assault planned

[unhappycamper]

A U.S. military official confirmed a video posted on Wikileaks.org was of a July 12, 2007, firefight involving Army helicopters in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad.


No review of 2007 helo assault planned
By Joe Gould - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 12, 2010 10:24:20 EDT

A leaked video that depicts an AH-64 Apache helicopter assault that killed two journalists and injured two children has churned a debate over the attack’s legality. But U.S. Central Command says it has no plans to reopen an inquiry.

The command has since released redacted copies of the military’s reports on the 2007 incident in east Baghdad. They concluded the aircrew mistook a photographer’s camera for a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and that the journalists “made no effort to visibly display their status as press” while accompanying armed insurgents.

“U.S. Central Command has no current plans to reinvestigate or review this combat action,” said Rear Adm. Hal Pittman, CentCom director of communication.

The July 12, 2007, video, posted online by the organization WikiLeaks on April 5, shows the gun-camera view of a 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, helicopter as it opened fire on a small crowd and on a van that came to assist the wounded. Reuters photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen and driver Saeed Chmagh were in the crowd, and the two children were in the van.

The scenes are graphic, the soldiers use crude language and the mood is tense.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/04/army_iraq_apache_assault_041210w/%20



unhappycamper comment: Well, at least they are not trying to cover it up. :shrug:

[Bolo Boffin]

1. They've reviewed it twice already. n/t

[BeFree]

2. Twice?

Did they rule it legal? Was it ruled to be justifiable?

[Bolo Boffin]

3. Yes, they said the operation was conducted within the rules of engagement. n/t

[BeFree]

4. Not what I asked

Did they rule it legal? Was it ruled to be justifiable?

The ROE is a given without a fair hearing. A trial would determine if it was legal or justifiable. The pentagon, sometimes, is not allowed to be judge, jury, and executioner. This should be one of those cases.

This whole "shoot first, ask questions later" bullshit needs to be corrected. Our military men and women deserve better. Don't you think?

[Bolo Boffin]

5. Jesus Christ, go read the reports yourself.

http://www2.centcom.mil/sites/foia/rr/CENTCOM%20Regulation%20CCR%2025210/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2fsites%2ffoia%2frr%2fCENTCOM%20Regulation%20CCR%2025210%2fDeath%20of%20Reuters%20Journalists&FolderCTID=&View=%7B41BA1AAF-785A-481A-A630-12470AFCD6FD%7D