Commander Appoints Board to Investigate Air Strike

KABUL, Sept. 8, 2009 – The commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force has appointed a two-star general to lead the formal investigation into a Sept. 3 air strike in Kunduz, Afghanistan, that reportedly killed numerous civilians.

Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal appointed Canadian Maj. Gen. C.S. Sullivan to lead the joint investigation board’s probe of the incident.

Sullivan directs ISAF’s air component and serves as the command’s deputy director of joint operations. The board also will include a U.S. Air Force officer, a German officer and a legal advisor and will coordinate with the Afghan investigation team formed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

An initial assessment at the scene by McChrystal and members of his senior leadership team concluded that civilians had been killed or injured in the strike.

The investigation is examining the series of events that began when two fuel trucks were reported stolen by insurgents and ISAF servicemembers located the trucks on the banks of the Kunduz River. Believing civilians were not in the area, the local ISAF commander authorized an air strike, which destroyed the two fuel trucks. Subsequent review has led ISAF officials to believe that along with insurgents, civilians were killed and injured in the strike.

McChrystal has directed the joint investigation board to research and document all facts and circumstances surrounding the strike and any civilian casualties. Officials said they expect the board’s work to take several weeks, and that its findings will be shared with Afghan and German authorities to inform their follow-on actions.

To: Clive; girlangler; fanfan; DirtyHarryY2K; Tribune7; manic4organic; U S Army EOD; Chode; tillacum; ..

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2 posted on 09/08/2009 4:56:04 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)

Define civilian vs. Taliban.

3 posted on 09/08/2009 5:10:29 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)

Cong vs. South VN

4 posted on 09/08/2009 5:28:18 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)

Shape shifters

5 posted on 09/08/2009 5:29:27 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)

Hey! Here's an idea! If you are truly an innocent civilian don't hang out with the taliban or al queda. Also don't steal from people who shedding their blood for your freedom.

Just a thought...

6 posted on 09/08/2009 5:35:18 PM PDT by Eagles6 ( Typical White Guy: Christian, Constitutionalist, Heterosexual, Redneck. (Let them eat arugula!))

I think these a$$hats need to have a trial and declare every B-17, B-24, and all other bomber crews criminals and place them or their relatives in jail and confiscate their bank accounts to pay remunerations to the poor Nazis and Tojo followers who were accidentally bombed during WWII. (sarc)

7 posted on 09/08/2009 8:21:03 PM PDT by OldMissileer (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, PK. Winners of the Cold War)

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