The Cellar - View Single Post - Failed procedures = friendly fire = loss of life

JerryM · 03-26-2007, 08:26 PM

"Friendly Fire, isn't" has become an old saw and one used to disguise a multitude of human failings. Now called incidents, they were, and are, the direct result of the growth of weapons technology and human inability or willingness to control them. All martial conflicts are evolutionary processes where coordination and cooperation evolve from the result of disaster.
The August 11, 1966, "Friendly Fire" expended on the United States Coast Guard Cutter Point Welcome (WPB 82329) was one evolutionary link that forced a small measure operational union during the Vietnam War.

the whole story:

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill...Welcome2.html#

This was the worst casualty inflicted upon the USCG during Vietnam. As someone else said, shit happens. The best we can hope for is to learn something to reduce the frequency of these "incidents". We usually gain some information to help prevent the same situation from recurring. Unfortunately, each situation has its own unique causes, and it is doubtful that we will ever have total eradication of "friendly fire " incidents.

The Coast Guard went through a period of TQM which very nearly ruined it. We are, usually, our own worst enemy, and a military service cannot be run by committee.

I also would like to see any REAL evidence of ANY military members being provided with "stimulants to stay sharp during combat flights". That sounds like a bit of information generated by the 4F boys at Joe's Bar and Grill around closing time.

CWO4 Jerry Murdock, USCG (RET)

Jerry

03-26-2007, 08:26 PM	#36
JerryM Writer of Writings Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Onalaska, Texas Posts: 14	. . . USAF vs USCG . . . Vietnam "Friendly Fire, isn't" has become an old saw and one used to disguise a multitude of human failings. Now called incidents, they were, and are, the direct result of the growth of weapons technology and human inability or willingness to control them. All martial conflicts are evolutionary processes where coordination and cooperation evolve from the result of disaster. The August 11, 1966, "Friendly Fire" expended on the United States Coast Guard Cutter Point Welcome (WPB 82329) was one evolutionary link that forced a small measure operational union during the Vietnam War. the whole story: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill...Welcome2.html# This was the worst casualty inflicted upon the USCG during Vietnam. As someone else said, shit happens. The best we can hope for is to learn something to reduce the frequency of these "incidents". We usually gain some information to help prevent the same situation from recurring. Unfortunately, each situation has its own unique causes, and it is doubtful that we will ever have total eradication of "friendly fire " incidents. The Coast Guard went through a period of TQM which very nearly ruined it. We are, usually, our own worst enemy, and a military service cannot be run by committee. I also would like to see any REAL evidence of ANY military members being provided with "stimulants to stay sharp during combat flights". That sounds like a bit of information generated by the 4F boys at Joe's Bar and Grill around closing time. CWO4 Jerry Murdock, USCG (RET) Jerry __________________ I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America. Alexis de Tocqueville