Pentagon Report: Multiple Failures Led To Deaths Of 4 Troops In Niger

5/10/18

The Pentagon said Thursday that an investigation into the deaths of four American soldiers in Niger last year found "individual, organizational and institutional failures." But it said no sole reason was responsible for the tragedy. The four Americans were part of a U.S. contingent that's been assisting Niger's military since 2013 in a battle against extremists linked to the Islamic State. A dozen Americans, along with members of Niger's military, were ambushed by extremists on Oct. 4 of last year outside the remote southwestern village of Tongo Tongo. After spending the night in the field, the U.S. forces began returning to their base on Oct. 4. They stopped in Tongo Tongo to get water and meet with village leaders. Shortly after the drove off in several military vehicles, the Americans and their Nigerien partners were ambushed by a much larger force. "The American and Nigerien forces fought courageously despite being significantly outnumbered by the enemy," the report said. The report cites multiple failures that include "a lack of attention to detail" in planning the mission and "inadequate notification" of higher levels of command.

This contributed to a "general lack of situational awareness and command oversight at every echelon." The four Americans killed were Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright — both Green Berets — and Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson and Sgt. La David Johnson. Two Americans were also wounded and five Nigerien troops were killed. NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman spoke with a retired U.S. officer with experience in Africa. He said the American team should have planned better, should have had heavier firepower, and needed to be in touch with a medevac helicopter and a quick reaction force in case something went wrong. The U.S. forces in Niger are there to assist the national army, but are not supposed to be directly involved in combat. However, missions can and do take them into dangerous areas where fighting breaks out. The U.S. has some 20 military missions in Africa, mostly in the northern half of the continent. The one in Niger is one of the largest, with roughly 800 U.S. troops based there.

entire article @ the link above

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Rogue Valley said:

Pentagon Report: Multiple Failures Led To Deaths Of 4 Troops In Niger

Members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion, salute the casket of U.S. Army
Sgt. La David Johnson at his burial service in Hollywood, Fla., on Oct. 21. Johnson and three
other U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush in Niger on Oct. 4.



Never forgotten.

Related: Department of Defense | Niger Report Highlights Bravery of U.S. Troops, Notes Training, Planning Deficiencies

Soldiers in Niger 'Died With Honor' in Chaotic Mission, Probe Finds

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Phys251 said:

First and foremost, my hearts go out to the families of the fallen.

Second, will we get five hundred investigations of this fiasco as we did with Benghazi?

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Phys251 said:

Second, will we get five hundred investigations of this fiasco as we did with Benghazi?

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Risky Thicket said:

I'm still waiting for the full and honest report of the investigation into the death of Pat Tillman.

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Phys251 said:

First and foremost, my hearts go out to the families of the fallen.

Second, will we get five hundred investigations of this fiasco as we did with Benghazi?

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ALTOY459 said:

Why is this story so popular
Soldiers die in war, nothing unusual

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Major Lambda said:

I read the summary in a news article. Seems to me that some subordinate troops are getting throwed under the bus.

And the report summary did not sound right to me. It essentially called the fallen Green Berets unprofessional and not prepared.



Major Lambda

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Rogue Valley said:

Pentagon Report: Multiple Failures Led To Deaths Of 4 Troops In Niger

Members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion, salute the casket of U.S. Army
Sgt. La David Johnson at his burial service in Hollywood, Fla., on Oct. 21. Johnson and three
other U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush in Niger on Oct. 4.



Never forgotten.

Related: Department of Defense | Niger Report Highlights Bravery of U.S. Troops, Notes Training, Planning Deficiencies

Soldiers in Niger 'Died With Honor' in Chaotic Mission, Probe Finds

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Major Lambda said:

Soldiers die either needlessly or not needlessly. Death occurs as a worthwhile event and in support of the mission..... defending the US Constitution and the US. Or it occurs through stupidity and neglegence...... an error in commands judgement......or simple political reasons--- such as poor rules of engagement or being in a " hot " area for purely political reasons, or where the enemy forces greatly out number the US Unit there.



Major Lambda

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Major Lambda said:

His fellow soldiers.... " Fragged Him "

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...decade-after-pat-tillmans-friendly-fire-death




Major Lambda

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Risky Thicket said:

I'm still waiting for the full and honest report of the investigation into the death of Pat Tillman.

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