When things started going bad--vehicle and comm breakdowns--people started changing the plan on the fly and freelancing in an effort to accomplish the mission. Operational risk management out the window and a recipe for disaster.

I am a little saddened that this has to be front page material. I realize that the public has a huge interest in the Pat Tillman story. It seems like the coverage is somehow trying to minimize Tillman's heroism and sacrifice. My own perspective of Tillman is unchanged: Here is a guy who makes millions of dollars and enjoys the status and privileges of a professional athlete. He gives it all up to serve his country and ends up giving up his life as well. Mistakes, friendly fire, he's still a hero in my book.

Steve Coll is one of the best, if not THE best, military affairs reporter working today.

his book "Ghost Wars" is the primer for anyone who is serious about understanding the American involvement Afghanistan from the 70s onward.

Too bad this is the coda to the Pat Tillman story, a hilariously inept cover up of an obvious FF incident for the sake of national narrative.

Larry, long time no hear. I thought you died or something.

>>>I thought you died or something.

why?

did you miss the "Iraq: Providing Hope" thread?

the chatroom that prays together, stays together

I guess I wasn't following that one.

good article. It reminds me of climbing disasters because one, seemingly, small decision sets in motion a chain of events that when in combination with other small decisions turns into disaster. I think the way the Army handled it was poor too. I have to feel bad for those gunners too, they have to face every day with that guilt.

Agreed. There is no such thing as "friendly fire".

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com