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The
War Profiteers - War Crimes, Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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The Killing of an Iraqi Male Adult by
Members of “Strike Iron Claw” |
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Background - April 22nd, 2006 May 9th, 2006 - Investigation
06-149/Escalation of Force Resulting in Death of Local National Report by the U.S.
Department of the Army “[…] On 22 APR 2006, Strike lron Claw (SIC) was
tasked with a RTE clearance mission of [redacted] maintain freedom of
movement in AO Talon for Coalition Forces (CF). In preparation for the
mission, the platoon leader [redacted] gave a mission brief to bring forward
the specific tasks before the platoon. Among the issues discussed in the
mission brief was the distinct threat of VBIED’s due to a strike two days
prior. Before leaving to conduct the mission, [redacted] reviewed the Rules
of Engagement (ROE) for threatening vehicles as is the standard in A Co.
During this review, all members of the platoon clearly understood the actions
they were to take in the event of a possible VBlED attack. (Note: For
clarification the actions they were to take followed the shout, show, provide
warning shots, attempt to disable the vehicle, and finally shoot the driver.)
Once this was complete the platoon loaded into their vehicles and began
movement. [redacted] of A Co. 2-101 BTB was assigned as the turret gunner for
the lead vehicle of the clearance mission for that day (RG-31, A22). “At approximately 0930, Strike Iron Claw turned onto
[redacted] moving west. Within five minutes, SIC was located at grid
coordinates [redacted] when a local national, white, four door sedan began to
approach SIC. When the vehicle came within 120 m of SIC, a Stop sign paddle
was waived to inform the local nationals within the vehicle to discontinue their
approach. The vehicle did not cease and a smoke grenade was launched toward
the vehicle as a warning at 100 m from SIC. At this point the vehicle slowed
briefly, but then began to come at SIC at a faster rate of speed. It became
necessary at this point for SIC to fire two 5.56 ball rounds at the vehicle
in an attempt to disable the vehicle. One round was fired at the engine
compartment on the drivers’ side and was later found to have hit the front,
drivers side tire. The second round impacted the engine block and ricocheted
out of the engine compartment. When the vehicle was at 40 m from SIC, it
still showed no signs of stopping. In response, [redacted] following the
Rules of Engagement (ROE) for the Iraq theater of operations, fired a single
5.56 round from his M4 at the driver in an attempt to disable him. “After the shot was fired, the vehicle veered off
the road and stopped. Members of SIC moved towards the vehicle to assess the
situation and found the driver alive, but seriously injured. Medics were
called in to provide assistance in an effort to keep the local national alive.
When the medic arrived from his position in the Buffalo he found the LN with
a gunshot wound to the lower part of the chin. He immediately began to
position the body in an effort to treat the wound and stop the bleeding.
Simultaneously, escalation of force was called in to B Co 1-5021N. Within
five minutes of treating the wounded local national an emergency medical
evacuation (MEDEVAC) was called into the 1-502 TOC. SIC began moving the local
national towards [redacted] in order to meet the medevac At 0955, the local
national was declared dead on arrival at the [redacted] helipad. “Soon after the platoon recomposed themselves and,
understanding that an investigation would ensue, began movement back to the
site of the escalation of force. When they returned to the site, they found
that the vehicle was missing. They interviewed the local nationals present
and discovered that the uncle, who was the passenger in the vehicle during
the shooting, had already called for a wrecker and had the vehicle towed. The
platoon took pictures of the EOF site and returned to [redacted]. When they
returned they found the uncle there trying to get the body of the driver.
They asked where the vehicle was located and the uncle replied it was taken
to the drivers’ residence. After some convincing, the uncle agreed to take
the platoon to the residence. Maintaining situational awareness, [redacted]
stopped the platoon approximately 400 meters from the final destination due
to the dubious layout of the road leading to the house. The platoon was able
to convince four local nationals who had been traveling on the road (and
happened to be related to the uncle) to retrieve the car and push it to them.
They obliged and brought it to them allowing the platoon to take pictures of
the vehicle. The platoon concluded the incident by returning to [redacted] and
taking pictures of the deceased body. “Afterwards, they finished their mission and
returned to Camp Striker. “After carefully considering the evidence, I find
that: “a. The members of Strike lron Claw were
sufficiently trained on the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for the Iraq theater of
operations. “b. [redacted] felt the vehicle was an immediate
threat to the safety and welfare of himself and his platoon, resulting in the
escalation of force. “c. [redacted] gave the local national driving the
vehicle more than ample time and warning to stop the vehicle. “d. The leadership took the proper precautions by
briefing the platoon on the possible threat of VBIED’s. “e. The members of Strike lron Claw acted quickly
and properly in an effort to save the local national’s life. “4. Recommendations. “In view of the above findings, I recommend: “a. That no actions be taken against/or his
leadership. “b. That [redacted] be commended for his excellent
marksmanship and perseverance in protecting members of his unit. […]” |
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