Defence inquiry finds failure to protect troops from 'green on blue' attack

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/adf-inquiry-afghanistan-deaths

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An Australian Defence Force (ADF) inquiry has found there was a failure to provide appropriate force protection at a base where three Australian soldiers were killed by an Afghan national army sergeant in August 2012, despite sufficient resources being available.

Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, 40, Sapper James Martin, 21, and Private Robert Poate, 23, were killed and two others were wounded, when Taliban "sleeper" Sergeant Hekmatullah opened fire at patrol base Wahab in the Uruzgan province of Afghanistan.

The ADF released its inquiry into the "green on blue" attack on Wednesday afternoon.

The vice-chief of the defence force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, told a press conference that the attack and investigation was "a highly complex situation" and revealed the deaths had been forwarded on to the Queensland coroner by the families.

"While nothing will bring back these brave and dedicated soldiers, defence has conducted a formal inquiry … to develop a clearer understanding," he said.

The report made 22 findings, the most damning of which was that officers left in charge at patrol base Wahab made decisions that left Australian troops exposed to danger, despite having sufficient intelligence and resources.

"The platoon has sufficient resources but decisions made at base were not appropriate," Binskin said.

Binskin said that upon arrival at the base, a decision was made by officers in charge that the most likely threat to their safety was due to insurgents or improvised explosive devices, despite an awareness of increasing "green on blue" attacks by soldiers thought to be friendly.

I have considered that "[redacted] had adequate opportunity to consider and address the occupation of patrol base Wahab … and that he did not do so", said the report.

Soldiers, including L/Cpl Milosevic, Spr Martin and Pte Poate, had changed into casual clothes and footwear for the evening and were playing cards, boardgames or using laptops in a makeshift recreation area. The report found that the collective state of relaxation and casual dress "highlights that the commanders and soldiers of [redacted] were complacent about their force protection and personal discipline".

The Australians were not separated from Afghan national army (ANA) forces as would usually occur, because it had been deemed impossible on arrival due to the terrain. This left Australian soldiers without adequate vision of anyone approaching.

Only one Australian soldier was on patrol as a roving picquet at the base during the night while towers were manned by ANA personnel, and he was wearing gym clothes underneath his protective gear. Air Mshl Binskin said this allowance of casual clothing "was not in line with standard operating procedure" and two people had since been disciplined.

The inquiry also found that it was not possible to make a link between the security shortfalls and any motivation for Hekmatullah's attack, that there was no intelligence information known to Australian or coalition forces relating to Hekmatullah, and they do not know why he decided to kill the soldiers.

Hekmatullah's existence was "unremarkable from a personnel or intelligence perspective", Air Mshl Binskin said.

After the report had been finalised, the ADF became aware of an unofficial Taliban video in which Hekmatullah speaks of the attack, said Air Mshl Binskin. However given that the Taliban never claimed responsibility and the lack of intelligence on Hekmatullah, the motivations of the gunman remain unknown.

The report made six recommendations, all of which the ADF had agreed to, Air Mshl Binskin said.

Four related to administrative action against three ADF members. Air Mshl Binskin would not speculate on potential specific action or reveal further details, but said that the recommendation had been passed on to the chief of army to carry out. The report also recommended against a commission of inquiry into the incident. "All facts that could have been drawn have been drawn," he said.

Air Mshl Binskin commended the action of ADF soldiers immediately following Hekmatullah's attack. Two soldiers returned fire and, within minutes, ANA soldiers in the towers at the Australian end of the base were disarmed, he said.

"[First aid responders] remained composed and deliberate and provided the best medical help they possibly could to fellow soldiers," he said.

Hekmatullah is still at large, and his capture remained a priority for the ADF, Air Mshl Binskin said.

"We will not let this rest. We will hunt him down and bring him to justice."

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