Reports: F-15 crew cleared in British deaths

Reports: F-15 crew cleared in British deaths
Staff report
Posted : Tuesday Jul 29, 2008 7:13:59 EDT

An investigation into the friendly fire deaths of three British soldiers in Afghanistan cleared the aircrew of the U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle involved in the attack, according to British news reports.

Instead, the Ministry of Defence investigation faulted the British soldier who directed the F-15E onto its target, several British newspapers are claiming.

The mistaken attack took place at dusk Aug. 23, 2007, during a battle with Taliban militants in Helmand province. An F-15E was called in and released a 500-pound bomb. Instead of striking a Taliban position about 1,000 yards from the British troops, the bomb hit a compound held by British soldiers, killing three soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/07/airforce_friendlyfire_afghan_072808w/