Here are two quick takes on the friendly fire incident. I’m interested in hearing more.

–E-mail: “This is not a crime, or even a “war crime”; it was a mistake. We cannot court-martial our military for making mistakes, like the Carthaginians would crucify losing generals. If true, the “Go-pills” are another mitigating circumstance. Apparently, in the Air Force, these were not optional, but mandatory. The Navy claims that they do not even permit them, let alone have them optional. … This is nothing but a case of throwing these pilots to the wolves to appease Canada. Perhaps we have grown so accustomed to bloodless campaigns that we have forgotten that good people on our side die in war.”

–E-mail: “I’m a military officer, and the prevailing opinion around here is that these guys should be disciplined. Most of what we hear is rumor, but it leads us to believe they did not perform their duty. For example, the Canadian unit was in a no-fire airspace control zone. This information is published daily in the Airspace Coordination Order, which they are required to study prior to their mission. Add to that the conversation with the AWACS, and you hear very little sympathy from the military crowd. Some of us also think that maybe the squadron leadership should “get theirs” as well due to poor discipline within the unit.”