[Cannoneer No. 4]

It WAS an accident, insofar as nobody is accusing them of INTENTIONALLY causing friendly casualties. Why did this accident occur? Read SUMMARY OF FACTS: TARNAK FARMS FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT NEAR KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN 17 APRIL 2002

There is quite a bit more to this sad story than most sources are reporting. They did wrong and good guys died, and I am not unpatriotic, anti-military, or anti-Illinois Air Guard to say that.

[a4drvr]

The wingman (Coffee 52) took it upon himself to declare "Self-Defense" and to attack without clearence and against instructions to "Stand By" resulting in friendly death and injury.

I believe they need to justify their actions at Courts Martial. I don't prejudge them guilty or innocent but I believe they both have earned the right to be tried by a jury of their peers.

BTW, this was SOP during Vietnam, at least in the Marines.