Posted on 02/24/2002 8:50:08 PM PST by mdittmar
A Fort Bragg soldier taking part in an exercise off the base was killed and another was injured in a shooting after a sheriff’s deputy stopped them on a rural road, authorities said.
The soldiers were taking part in a role-playing exercise that is part of the Special Forces Qualification Course, according to a statement from the Moore County Sheriff’s Department.
The soldiers were carrying weapons, but they do not carry live ammunition during the exercise, Maj. Richard Patterson of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School told The Fayetteville Observer.
“The two soldiers were not in uniform. For various scenarios within the exercise, that’s not uncommon,” said a Special Forces spokesman. “They were going out to do reconnaissance of a target that was going to be used for a future mission in the exercise,” the spokesman said.
The newspaper reported that the soldiers were in a vehicle that was stopped by Deputy Randall Butler on a rural road northwest of Robbins on Saturday afternoon. Robbins is about 25 miles from the Fort Bragg reservation.
The sheriff’s department would not comment on why Butler stopped the vehicle or why he drew his weapon. No charges had been filed Sunday. Butler was placed on administrative leave with pay.
Sheriff Frank Johnson was out of town and couldn’t be reached by telephone Sunday.
UNDER INVESTIGATION
The soldiers were in a vehicle driven by a civilian who was playing the role of a resident of a fictitious country, Patterson said. He wouldn’t discuss further details of the incident because it was being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation and the Army.
“It was definitely a misunderstanding, but we’re still looking at the procedures and actions taken. We can’t lay blame on anyone right now,” said the Special Forces spokesman. The exercise, known as “Robin Sage,” is the 19-day final exam of the Special Forces Qualification Course. It tests skills in survival, tactics and dealing with people, as well as judgment, decision-making and ethics.
In previous Robin Sage sessions, law enforcement officials have helped the military by setting up road blocks. There was no immediate indication whether Butler was helping with Saturday’s exercise.
Patterson said the names of the dead and wounded soldiers wouldn’t be released until their relatives were notified.
The wounded soldier was listed in serious condition at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, according to the sheriff’s department.
I'm not from that area. I got involved in this when somebody from the SWC called and offered me the job. I'd drive there for the exercise,and then come back home when it was over. I've been thinking seriously about moving to Moore County,though. Some friends there have offered me a incredible deal on some land.
As you can see, the liberal "feel good" mindset has infiltrated
"FR" so deeply, that fingers are pointed to fault our military
at the drop of a hat.
Thanks for your effort to correct the mentality.
I can't disagree with you; however, I don't like seeing Americans die on their own soil in a mishap from another American. Me thinks that maybe these kids got a little cocky with the locals and... well, they got knocked. The CO is probably going to catch some flack on this one.
The sad truth is that some of these students should have never made it past the selection committee. They are arrogant self-centered bastards who won't listen to anything anybody has to say because they think they know it all. The problem is somebody promised Congress "X-amount" of new SF troops each year,and this has screwed the system. If not enough competent and qualified volunteers come forward,people who should have flunked-out pass instead. People who should have never been accepted to start with.
Spoken like a true liberal... Who gives a rat's ass what you "feel?" - How is that relevant? What do you know about training special operations forces? I'm guessing the answer is not much...
Running this kind of drill, where uninvolved civilians can get hurt and blunders like this can happen is either unprofessional macho bullshit or simple stupidity.
You tell me which.
1) You want to be added to my North Carolina ping-list.
2) You no longer want to be included in this North Carolina ping-list.
FRegards,
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"‘‘They attacked the deputy with everything they had, and he responded accordingly,’’ Carter said. ‘‘One was trying to get the deputy’s weapon. The other was pulling a weapon out of a bag. They ended up getting shot over it. He reacted as any officer would react.’’ "
Well, I'm so glad you "generally" support the military since you know nothing of it. You have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about regarding the incident.
It does not make any sense.
What the heck is going on?
JWinNC
One might ask that about the cop, too.
Robin Sage has been run in the area since the 1950s.
There'd been TWO WEEKS of shoot-em-up and pyrotechnics going on prior to this event.
And the cop really DIDN'T know about it?
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