US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians

This horrible, and is another black mark on the US military. Apparently, some are getting bruised nerves and losing their scruples? Multiple combats tours is most certainly weighing heavy on some of the soldier's sanity. They could murder civilians, murder their entire family, or even off themselves, because of being exposed to large doses of carnage, destruction, and death. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a real thing. Atrocities are a part of war as much bullets, cruise missiles, black hawk helicopters, and Abrams tanks. Any military force is capable of the conduct that was displayed by these soldiers. This conduct has taken place since man learned to pick up stones and throw them at his neighbors head. I am not excusing the conduct of these soldiers, and from what I gather they will have their day in court.

US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians

Some of the activities of the self-styled "kill team" are already public, with 12 men currently on trial in Seattle for their role in the killing of three civilians.

Five of the soldiers are on trial for pre-meditated murder, after they staged killings to make it look like they were defending themselves from Taliban attacks.

Other charges include the mutilation of corpses, the possession of images of human casualties and drug abuse.

All of the soldiers have denied the charges. They face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.

Personally, I don't see what the need is to have these pictures published. Are the descriptions not a enough for people to visual how horrendous these alleged crimes were? It will make an already serious matter ten times worse. If these soldiers are found guilty of atrocities, they are a scourge, a disgrace to the uniform, and have unnecessarily put their buddies who remain in the field at greater risk. I am appalled by conduct like this, but we have to keep in mind that it happens. When it does happen it is the duty of the military, and the government to ensure that the guilty parties are dealt with as harshly as possible.

reply to post by LoverBoy


The Iraqis dont have the command and control or intelligence apparatus that we do.

Now back to the original thread The picture it does show looks extremely old and if they are army there definitely not average soldiers. The DCU uniform has been out of the army standard uniforms for a while now no one with exception of SF would be allowed to wear it. I doubt SF is wearing it because the uniform was prone to ripping(cheap stitching)
So it leads me to three possible options
1 Old picture possibly beginning of the war or not afghan at all and actually a Iraq photo
2 SF team, Seal, CIA SAD, british or another nation sf team
3 faked by Iran wouldn't be the first time they pulled something like this

Cue Standard Mod Speech

Hi People,


Heres a nifty idea: How about we actually stick to the topic of this thread.

By all means start a thread elsewhere debating the legitimacy of Gaming Vs Combat Experience, or Civilian Farmers Vs Snipers, or...well...you get the idea...


This thread isn't it.


Thank you.

Here is an other source with some of the photo's

SOURCE

Gives a good impression of how ugly this "peace keeping' mission is.

Yes us americans are the world police indeed, what a wonderful job we do.