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Incomprehensibly Stupid Army Regulation Killing Americans in Afghanistan

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Pandora:

--- Quote ---Army regulations require that medevac helicopters follow the Geneva Convention, which specifies that they must be unarmed and display prominent Red Cross markings.  Furthermore, Army regulation forbids medevac choppers from entering a combat zone without armed helicopter escort.  If armed escort is not immediately available, medevac helicopters remain grounded, regardless of the emergency.  Once they do go in, they become a conspicuous target for enemy forces, most of whom have never read the Geneva Convention and would laugh it out of existence if they had.

A recent tragedy in Afghanistan highlights the high cost of these restrictions.  As reported by veteran combat reporter Michael Yon, Army Specialist Chazray Clark was severely wounded on a night mission after stepping on an IED:
--- End quote ---

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/incomprehensibly_stupid_army_regulation_killing_americans_in_afghanistan.html#ixzz1ic7nAnhN


How.dare.they.

Miltrainer:

--- Quote from: Pandora on January 05, 2012, 01:32:12 PM ---
--- Quote ---Army regulations require that medevac helicopters follow the Geneva Convention, which specifies that they must be unarmed and display prominent Red Cross markings.  Furthermore, Army regulation forbids medevac choppers from entering a combat zone without armed helicopter escort.  If armed escort is not immediately available, medevac helicopters remain grounded, regardless of the emergency.  Once they do go in, they become a conspicuous target for enemy forces, most of whom have never read the Geneva Convention and would laugh it out of existence if they had.

A recent tragedy in Afghanistan highlights the high cost of these restrictions.  As reported by veteran combat reporter Michael Yon, Army Specialist Chazray Clark was severely wounded on a night mission after stepping on an IED:
--- End quote ---

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/incomprehensibly_stupid_army_regulation_killing_americans_in_afghanistan.html#ixzz1ic7nAnhN
How.dare.they.


--- End quote ---

The U.S military has always had its hands tied when it comes to world conflicts. It is set up by a bunch of paper pushing politicians, most have never seen a a lick of military combat. On top of that the rest of the socialist world gets to dictate to us how we must fight even though the rest of the world doesn't even think about following those very same rules. 

The only reason the U.S. military hasn't had it's Ass handed to it, is that the troops are well trained and they are provided with the very best of weapons. Once the U.S military is winning a battle with huge success, the politicians and commies jump in and claim that we aren't fighting fair or that we are killing to many of them and not enough of our own troops have died.

I like to think of it like a football game.  ::grouphug:: If after the 1st quarter we are kicking the other teams but, the politicians (Refereeing officials) jump in and remove all of the starting players. If we still are kicking ass and taking names they then will remove our teams helmets and pads. Once the third quarter comes around then the officials will not call any any penalties against the opposing team and at the same time they will double the penalties against us and give the ball to the other team at our 20 yard line.

To top it off the game announcers (Media) will actively miss call the game and portray us (the good guys) as bullies and cheats. They will then pass this on to the public (radio listeners) that the US is really not nice and don't know how to play nice with others.

It's been that way since the Korean War and nothing has changed since.

Just my feelings about this. I could be totally off base....... Nawwww!

Miltrainer:
Another reason this is is done is because there are a bunch of field brass who don't want to rock the boat and want to suck up to the politicians so they can get a bird or another star on their shoulder.

Libertas:

Furthermore, none of this is necessary.  The Geneva Convention applies only to organized militaries of identifiable governments who have signed the Convention or have otherwise formally agreed to follow its tenets.  Guerrilla groups like the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Hezb'allah, and others have no standing.

There is no requirement for a signatory nation to follow the Convention when opposing forces do not respect it.  To do so is suicide, yet to placate the denizens of PC, the Army goes right ahead.  Perhaps the bureaucrats and politicians who design these policies should first be required to personally oversee their employment in the field.  One suspects the regulations would change overnight.  But safely ensconced flying a desk in the Pentagon, these people are much more fearful of a congressional hearing or a derogatory editorial in the Washington Post.

U.S. troops are paying for that cowardice with their lives.

The U.S. Army is the only branch that follows this unnecessary protocol.  Air Force, Navy, and Marine rescue choppers have dispensed with the Red Cross and come armed to the teeth, usually with multiple miniguns.  Enemy forces vanish at their approach rather than risk a murderous fusillade of return fire if they reveal their position by taking a shot.  The result: fewer casualties on both sides -- just what the PC clowns claim to want.

Finally, since the Army requires that unarmed medevac helicopters be escorted by helicopter gunships, the Army is really just wasting assets while putting medevac passengers and aircrews in unnecessary danger.

This one is the best:

PERCEPTION OF IMPROPRIETY

A-18. Because even the perception of impropriety can be detrimental to the mission and US interests, HSS commanders [HSS = Health Service Support, ed.] must ensure they do not give the impression of impropriety in the conduct of medical evacuation operations.

This is the catch-all excuse when the others are found wanting.  Even if we know we don't have to follow the Convention in this case -- even if we know it is moronic and potentially fatal to do so -- this regulation argues that we should still risk the lives of combat troops and aircrews so that people too stupid or careless to know the facts do not become alarmed when we create the "perception of impropriety" by properly arming medevac helicopters against almost certain attack!  Such conspicuously self-conscious, gutless attitudes have no place in military policy.  The military exists to protect our country at the least cost in U.S. blood and treasure possible.  Period.



Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/incomprehensibly_stupid_army_regulation_killing_americans_in_afghanistan.html#ixzz1igN5BOu2

Nails it!  Bravo to Yon & SoF for bringing this to light!

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