US working to curb friendly fire deaths

The spectre of friendly fire deaths has surfaced at almost every recent American military briefing in the Gulf, and the Pentagon has taken steps it hopes will help counter the threat.

“The US army has got better over time, if you look at the statistics. But even if you have one death it’s unacceptable,” said Captain Philip Rusiecki, who would direct artillery fire for the US 141st Mechanised Infantry Battalion.

Both the Gulf War and Afghanistan saw allied troop casualties from friendly fire, and commanders in the Gulf said they were determined to keep the number at zero for this conflict.

All soldiers in the war zone will wear a type of high tech ID card, a “glint tape” attached to their helmets and uniforms.

The black, one-inch-square infrared tape glows like fire when seen through night vision scopes and goggles used by ground troops and pilots.

American vehicles carry other devices that identify them as belonging to US forces: a Phoenix light that emits strobe-like flashes, and thermal panels that put out “heat signatures”.

Both are visible through infrared devices used by pilots.

“We have taken every precaution possible, but the sad fact is that there is a human element. In the confusion, stress and anxiety of battle, accidents will happen. They have happened since the first ever war. You cannot eliminate this 100%,” said US Sergeant 1st Class Damian McIntosh.

Rusiecki said his commander has reinforced the dangers of friendly fire with every member of the unit.

“We are telling them that there will be friendlies 360 degrees around us and the enemy 360 degrees around us,” he said. “Itchy trigger fingers? There’s no room for it.”