- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
Recently, I was at my ECP when my "Terp" received a phone call from a Depot close by... "One of the ECP guards is dead, shot by American Soldiers"
It can escalate very quickly... recently there was a tragic accident at a compound close by. A convoy of 2 MRAM's and 2 B6 armored Suburban's where passing through the ECP gate, the first 3 vehicles when through without a problem and the fourth's front tire caught the Spike belt/Dragon teeth. The spike belt and chain went tight and then snapped impacting the guards head completely caving in his face and wrapping around and crushing his skull killing him immediately. When the chain snapped it sounded like a gunshot... causing the guards to believe that he was shot.
I immediately exited my compound and ran down the Bagram-Kabul highway to this depot (175yards away) to find a crowd with the US Medic standing there, he briefs me that there is nothing he can do to save him... at his point another APPF guard cocked his weapon next to the American Medic but before he has a chance to raise it I call the guards to prayer immediately de-escalating for the time being. A NCO circles around and quietly disarms the guard.
At this time the guard force is highly upset and agitated I escorted the US Medic back to the Convoy Commander and brief them to ensure that they are Alert red status and to get inside their armored vehicles and remain here until CID arrives on site. I was contacted by the Convoy Commander and then CID and relayed actions on to date and a basic situation report via cell phone.
I then went back to the accident site to observe and take photo’s to preserve evidence. At this time my APPF Commander and other APPF Officers arrived to attempt to keep the calm. I noticed that two of my guards (armed) were there, I asked them who authorized them to come over and they said Commander did.
The incident site Interpreter noticed a guard in the tower closest to the accident ready to fire, he immediately rushes up and disarmed the tower guard through reasoning. The guards were making statements that the last vehicle was speeding adding to the hostility. I then observed that every Officer and NCO from other sites which is adding to the confusion of the situation.
APPF Colonel arrived on scene to start his investigation and wait to the ANP. I then noticed a crowd of APPF guards forming at the other end of the compound so I went to them to talk and they were very agitated, I then asked if someone could lead us to prayers and prayers we said. At this time an APPF PSD noticed a guard advancing towards the accident scene reading his rifle and he promptly disarmed him.
I arrived back up to the ECP when our Country Manager arrived and while he was near the accident/body I noticed two guards that looked to be circling and fixated on him, I then put my arm around the Country Managers shoulder, turned him about and walked him away.
I then had the lock cut on the adjacent Depot gate to allow local services vehicles and LN workers to leave the compound without disturbing or hindering the investigation. This was also done to allow the CID and QRF to enter the site without contributing to the situation.
At this time the APPF Colonel and a ANP approached the MRAP and wanted the driver out and arrested for drunk driving. I interjected to the Colonel that according to the US Military SOP’s that they will not leave their vehicles and negotiated that they would stay put and not attempt to leave until directed by US CID and that the body could not be moved until directed by CID. Guards are now making statements that the driver was giving them the finger again adding to the hostility.
It was 2 hours before CID arrived to take over the investigation and another hour before we cold move the body. This was a very intense 3 hour Mexican standoff but no shots were fired and no further loss of life, the US Army was allowed to depart and return to their base.
According to the Law of Armed Conflict and the Use of Force rules we were within our rights to shoot the guard when he escalating by charging his weapon... I was a few seconds or less from having to shoot him myself but chose to de-escalate as the Medic and I would have been trapped in the ECP with no cover, the guards would have opened fire on us, my guards would have opened fire on their guards and the US Army would have returned fire with the Ma Deuce and small arms. This would have turned into the biggest Green on Blue, Blue on Green, and Blue on Blue incident in this country. The political ramifications of this incident would give the Afghan President the reason not to sign the Security agreement and it would have started the US, ISAF pull out.
The post incident de-escalation and returning the guard force to it normal status required a lot of briefings and explanations as to the actual events not their perceived ideas of what they thought happened. I have since been over there a few times and then now understand that it was a tragic accident with no single cause but a series of small incidents at the same time with contributed to the accident. All items of concerns were reviewed by the US Military and the Security Company and both have taken steps so this can no happen again.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the guard killed, the family has been compensated and funeral arrangements made by our company. Be at Peace Brother.
- mod edit to remove graphic content -
Cheers
Pop
It can escalate very quickly... recently there was a tragic accident at a compound close by. A convoy of 2 MRAM's and 2 B6 armored Suburban's where passing through the ECP gate, the first 3 vehicles when through without a problem and the fourth's front tire caught the Spike belt/Dragon teeth. The spike belt and chain went tight and then snapped impacting the guards head completely caving in his face and wrapping around and crushing his skull killing him immediately. When the chain snapped it sounded like a gunshot... causing the guards to believe that he was shot.
I immediately exited my compound and ran down the Bagram-Kabul highway to this depot (175yards away) to find a crowd with the US Medic standing there, he briefs me that there is nothing he can do to save him... at his point another APPF guard cocked his weapon next to the American Medic but before he has a chance to raise it I call the guards to prayer immediately de-escalating for the time being. A NCO circles around and quietly disarms the guard.
At this time the guard force is highly upset and agitated I escorted the US Medic back to the Convoy Commander and brief them to ensure that they are Alert red status and to get inside their armored vehicles and remain here until CID arrives on site. I was contacted by the Convoy Commander and then CID and relayed actions on to date and a basic situation report via cell phone.
I then went back to the accident site to observe and take photo’s to preserve evidence. At this time my APPF Commander and other APPF Officers arrived to attempt to keep the calm. I noticed that two of my guards (armed) were there, I asked them who authorized them to come over and they said Commander did.
The incident site Interpreter noticed a guard in the tower closest to the accident ready to fire, he immediately rushes up and disarmed the tower guard through reasoning. The guards were making statements that the last vehicle was speeding adding to the hostility. I then observed that every Officer and NCO from other sites which is adding to the confusion of the situation.
APPF Colonel arrived on scene to start his investigation and wait to the ANP. I then noticed a crowd of APPF guards forming at the other end of the compound so I went to them to talk and they were very agitated, I then asked if someone could lead us to prayers and prayers we said. At this time an APPF PSD noticed a guard advancing towards the accident scene reading his rifle and he promptly disarmed him.
I arrived back up to the ECP when our Country Manager arrived and while he was near the accident/body I noticed two guards that looked to be circling and fixated on him, I then put my arm around the Country Managers shoulder, turned him about and walked him away.
I then had the lock cut on the adjacent Depot gate to allow local services vehicles and LN workers to leave the compound without disturbing or hindering the investigation. This was also done to allow the CID and QRF to enter the site without contributing to the situation.
At this time the APPF Colonel and a ANP approached the MRAP and wanted the driver out and arrested for drunk driving. I interjected to the Colonel that according to the US Military SOP’s that they will not leave their vehicles and negotiated that they would stay put and not attempt to leave until directed by US CID and that the body could not be moved until directed by CID. Guards are now making statements that the driver was giving them the finger again adding to the hostility.
It was 2 hours before CID arrived to take over the investigation and another hour before we cold move the body. This was a very intense 3 hour Mexican standoff but no shots were fired and no further loss of life, the US Army was allowed to depart and return to their base.
According to the Law of Armed Conflict and the Use of Force rules we were within our rights to shoot the guard when he escalating by charging his weapon... I was a few seconds or less from having to shoot him myself but chose to de-escalate as the Medic and I would have been trapped in the ECP with no cover, the guards would have opened fire on us, my guards would have opened fire on their guards and the US Army would have returned fire with the Ma Deuce and small arms. This would have turned into the biggest Green on Blue, Blue on Green, and Blue on Blue incident in this country. The political ramifications of this incident would give the Afghan President the reason not to sign the Security agreement and it would have started the US, ISAF pull out.
The post incident de-escalation and returning the guard force to it normal status required a lot of briefings and explanations as to the actual events not their perceived ideas of what they thought happened. I have since been over there a few times and then now understand that it was a tragic accident with no single cause but a series of small incidents at the same time with contributed to the accident. All items of concerns were reviewed by the US Military and the Security Company and both have taken steps so this can no happen again.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the guard killed, the family has been compensated and funeral arrangements made by our company. Be at Peace Brother.
- mod edit to remove graphic content -
Cheers
Pop
