Posted on 11/21/2003 3:59:24 PM PST by O6ret
PRESS RELEASE
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Armed Services
Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2003
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES LEADERS DEMAND INFORMATION CONCERNING LT. COLONEL WEST
Actions to Save Soldiers Were Proper Based on Available Information
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and John M. McHugh (R-NY)are calling on U.S. Army leadership to immediately provide a report on the investigation of Lt. Col. Allen West. West is charged with improperly interrogating an Iraqi prisoner.
Based on the information currently available to them, Hunter and McHugh believe that West's actions may well have been necessary to protect the lives and safety of his fellow soldiers and not the actions of a criminal, as he is charged. Hunter is Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and McHugh is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Total Force, which has jurisdiction over military personnel matters.
According to news accounts, the incident in question took place this pastAugust near Tikrit, Iraq, when guerrillas attacked U.S. soldiers underWest's command. An informant told U.S. authorities that a local policeman was involved. West ordered the policeman brought in, though he proveduncooperative. West has testified that he fired his pistol near the head ofthe Iraqi, threatening to kill him in an effort to obtain information to protect his troops. As a result of the tactic, the Iraqi provided information regarding a planned sniper attack on U.S. soldiers. Two insurgents were arrested, a third fled and there were no attacks in the area. West immediately informed his commanding officer of the incident. He is currently facing an inquiry to determine if there is cause for a court-martial.
"We are highly disturbed by media accounts that the Army is beginning criminal proceedings against Lt. Col. Allen B. West for taking actions in Iraq that he believed were necessary to protect the lives and safety of his men," stated the Congressmen in a letter to Les Brownlee, Acting Secretary of the Army. "To us, such actions if accurately reported do not appear to be those of a criminal," the letter continues.
In addition to the information previously requested, the Congressmen are asking to see a new report. "We are aware the Army has completed a preliminary inquiry regarding whether to proceed to a court martial and would like to review that report," said Hunter and McHugh in a joint statement. "Our interest is in justice. Based on what we know right now, it is more than reasonable to assume that Col. West acted in a manner proportionate to the threat against his soldiers."
Certainly! Our officers (and NCOs) can cope with a much wider variety of circumstances today than they could in the past. The tactical, leadership, and technical training is far superior to anything taught before. True some of the funding for ongoing skills training lapsed during Clinton's administration, but the basic skills were there and many dedicated professionals ensured that training calendars were stuffed full of everything they could afford to train on. Even with the funding shortages our troops maintained the highest training standard in the world.
Just for comparisons sake I have gathered some numbers that are publicly available. Seems to me that no matter how PC and weak you and others might view our ROEs and Tactics they seem to work far better than the model from 1968 we all try very hard not to emulate. Looks to me like past officers had a harder time dealing with an Asian enemy than 7th century minded barbarians.
1968 Vietnam
US Forces KIA-14,594
Note 1: there were an additional 1,919 non-hostile deaths for a total of 16,511
Troop Levels As of 1 January 1968
Force Total Strength Support Combat Arms
US Forces 409,111
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003
US Forces KIA- 416 (from 1 Apr-17 Nov and includes non-hostile deaths)
Troop Levels (between 120,000 and 150,000)
Do the math, enter in what you can find for current troop levels in OIF and you will see the death rate in 1968 Vietnam was about 1 in 28(409,111/14,594=28) and in OIF about 1 in 285 (120,000/420=285). The 1 in 285 number is for an 8 month period if you increase the KIAs at the current average rate the numbers for 1 year are about 1 in 226 (420/2=110+420=530 | 120,000/530=226).
So short answer to your question, hell yes.
I'd follow him, I'd frag you.
That would be an interesting question: would you get the death penalty for murder, or would you be "shot while attempting to escape?"
Your Comment: "That would be an interesting question: would you get the death penalty for murder, or would you be "shot while attempting to escape?"
Very interesting indeed.
If any lame-ass lieutenant told me to respect an enemy of the United States, who wanted to kill us as much as you do, I would frag him.
It seems that you want dead Americans instead of dead terrorists.
Which would put you in the same league as Sergeant Hasan K. Akbar.
If any lame-ass lieutenant told me to respect an enemy of the United States, who wanted to kill us as much as you do, I would frag him.
Interesting, since you're the one who actually has expressed any desire to kill Americans on this thread.
It seems that you want dead Americans instead of dead terrorists.
Again, an interesting statement coming from a guy who admits that he would kill an officer who gave orders he disagreed with.
Disrespect of one's enemy is a sure way to get killed. Why do you insist on pointing out every possible reason for why you would make a horrible soldier?
It amazes me that this thread is still active, but since it is, you get no points from me or West for suggesting that you would frag your superior officer. Is this to be a serious discussion, or will you and others allow yourselves to be marginalized through emotional rhetoric?
Consider your words more carefully next time, you do your credibility no favor.
That is all very nice and good. I am also a little hot-headed at times. If Poohbah wants to meet me halfway, he will find me three-quarters of the way on his side.
However, you can't apologize for him anymore than I could apologize for you. No slam, just a fact.
Still, we are all on the American side. We just have a little disagreement on methods.
As for LibKill, I'm pretty sure that a trash talker like him failed to pay attention during the hand grenade course at basic and would instead end up fragging himself and his DI.
Bzzzt! Wrong, PUNK!
I'm very much alive. As far as I know, so are my DIs.
You would have never made it through USMC basic training, you 'trash talker' B!TCH.
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