General Rebukes Special Operations Forces - Lawmaker requests probe of Kearney's actions

The Washington Times ^ | Oct 10, 2007 | Sharon Behn

[RDTF]

A crusading three-star general has sparked outrage within the Army Special Forces and Marine Special Operations Command by publicly condemning and twice bringing legal actions against members of their forces.

None of Lt. Gen. Frank Kearney's actions has resulted in a conviction, but they have roiled the military community, led to the resignations of several top-trained Marines, and sparked accusations of improper command influence.

Rep. Walter B. Jones, North Carolina Republican, worried about the effect on the military, has asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to investigate Gen. Kearney, who currently heads the Special Operations Command. The case also has attracted widespread comment in military publications and blogs.

The general's actions "have damaged the lives of many of our special operators and deserve to be investigated," Mr. Jones said in an Oct. 3 letter to Mr. Gates.

Col. Hans Bush, special forces public affairs officer for the Special Operations Command, said yesterday that Gen. Kearney stood "ready to support any investigation directed by the secretary of defense in this matter."

-snip-

[RDTF]

ping

[PeteB570]

Whats good for the goose is god for the gander.

I’ll bet he has an easier time covering his lawyer bills as opposed to the two lower ranking guys at Ft Bragg.

[Wuli]

It seems the Spec Ops forces may have their own “Murtha” in charge.

[RedRover]

...Gen. Kearney stood "ready to support any investigation directed by the secretary of defense in this matter."

Great. Then Kearney won't mind when he's relieved of his command, thrown into the brig for an indefinite period, and interrogated by CID agents.

[wastedyears]

We don’t need Murtha in charge of USSOCOM.

[RedRover]

Agreed, unfortunately, “Murtha” is a state of mind.

[geezerwheezer]

Didn’t Kearney serve in the Balkans under the idiot general who ran for the dimwits’ nomination for President last time around? Wasn’t that general relieved of his duty due to incompetence just like Kearey should be? Funny how birds of a feather flock together ain’t it. Any freepers out there who know of their relationship?

[RDTF]

last line of article:

“Gen. Kearney is a 1976 West Point graduate and former Ranger who has spent time in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He became commanding general of Special Operations Command-Central in March 2005. In March 2007, he took over the Special Operations Command.”

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

“We found no brass that we can confirm that small arms fire came at [the Marines],” Gen. Kearney was quoted as having said on April 8.

I am incredulous that this was his initial premise! I am sure that spent brass cartridges are picked up for their scrap brass value in afghanistan......and very quickly after any small arms engagements, and from the site of both sides that were engaging.......despite all the news, such scavenging is still a source of income and materials (brass is a noble metal, not a rusty chunk of iron) over there, esp in rural areas

[wastedyears]

Is it similar to New York state of mind?

[geezerwheezer]

Yep, I read that too. But as you might not know, a General looks out for his protoge’ and I think Kearney was a flack for the idiot general in the Balkans. Don’t know for sure, but a doughnut to a dollar there is a strong relationship between those two losers and anti-military officers.

[jazusamo]

Wasn’t that general relieved of his duty due to incompetence just like Kearey should be?

Yes, Weasel Clark was relieved of command though he says he just retired early. It certainly looks like this Kearney deserves the same fate. Don't know of a possible relationship between the two but they well could have been in the Balkans together.

[brityank]

Then Kearney won't mind when he's relieved of his command, thrown into the brig for an indefinite period, and interrogated by CID agents.

Sure, Red. Want to buy a bridge? It has a river with ocean access, and everyone crossing into PA has to pay good money.       ;^)

I think (hope) Kearney has stepped in it big time; the tossing of the Marines smacks of inter-service rivalry. But I do wonder whether this is a follow-on from something LCol. ware said in his charge sheet for SSgt. Wunterich; that there seems to be a disconnect between the ROE the Marines are trained to, and the MOUT that is the USA standard. Anyone from the Army side to give us some reference to that?

[ArmyTeach]

The combination of incompetence and arrogance is truly dangerous...

[Girlene]

Here's a picture of the alleged "crusading three-star general"


Lt. Gen. Frank Kearney

And here's a link to the letter Walter Jones sent to the Sec. of Defense, Robert Gates JONES URGES INVESTIGATION OF COMMAND INFLUENCE IN CHARGES AGAINST GREEN BERETS, DECISION TO EXPEL MARSOC MARINES

I think this request is a good idea after reading some of the background on Lt. Gen. Frank Kearney's actions in these two incidents.

[Girlene]

A little background on what this article is about. Frank Kearney had charges brought against two Special Forces, previously discussed in this FR thread Green Berets Face Hearing On Killing of Suspect in Afghan Village. Captain Staffel and Sergeant Anderson were charged with premeditated murder after Anderson shot a known terrorist who was on a kill or capture list in October, 2006. The CID, the Army's investigative service, reviewed the incident and cleared it as an appropriate kill. But Kearney ordered charges brought anyway. More info here. The case was dismissed after an Article 32 hearing finally see here but not until the men had to hire their own lawyers, be accused of murder, the whole ball of wax.

But Kearney is also involved in another high profile incident that occurred in Afghanistan. After a VBIED was exploded in an Afghan village, return fire from a MARSOC unit, several Afghans were killed. In response to the aftermath, Kearney had the first Marines Special Force company that was deployed in theatre, removed from country and started another investigation. The Marine Corps Times has some of the history of this here and here.

It appears this is not the first letter that Congressman Jones has sent about the MSOC investigation. According to the Army Times, ...Jones sent a letter to acting Army Secretary Pete Geren on May 14, asking for an apology after an Army colonel made a public apology to Afghan families affected by the incident.

The colonel called the shootout a “terrible, terrible mistake” and made condolence payments to the families.

I'd say the Congressman's concerns are warranted about Frank Kearney, who, by the way, was promoted in the midst of these investigations.

[xzins]

Col. Hans Bush, special forces public affairs officer for the Special Operations Command, said yesterday that Gen. Kearney stood "ready to support any investigation directed by the secretary of defense in this matter."

Gen Kearney should not be in a position to "support" an investigation against himself. Just on the surface that is obviously biased. How could the man say such a thing?

I'd recommend Kearney be placed on on administrative assignment in the Pentagon and his Deputy take over command or the former commander, Gen Brown, be returned to active duty in the interim.

[Girlene]

Sounds like a plan. He was busy removing all these guys from their command while investigations were ongoing.

[jazusamo]

I'd recommend Kearney be placed on on administrative assignment in the Pentagon

BUMP!