Australia: 'Our pilots refused (US orders) to bomb 40 times'

[Aidoneus]

Our pilots refused to bomb 40 times
By Frank Walker
March 14, 2004

Australia's F/A-18 pilots defied the orders of American commanders and refused to drop their bombs on up to 40 missions during the invasion of Iraq, it can now be revealed.

In a remarkable account of how our airmen applied Australian rules of engagement, an RAAF pilot has told The Sun-Herald each of the 14 RAAF Hornet pilots aborted three to four bombing runs because intelligence given at pre-flight briefings did not concur with what they found at the target.

Last night, The Sun-Herald could not confirm whether or not American field commanders raised objections about the Australian pilots' actions, nor if US pilots later carried out the bombing runs themselves.

But Australia's Defence Force chief, General Peter Cosgrove backed the pilots' action, and said there were no recriminations.

Squadron Leader Daryl Pudney last week described how he and other Australian F/A-18 pilots were forced to weigh up the risk of civilian casualties in a split second before dropping their bombs.

He said pilots broke off many missions after they saw the target and decided there was not a valid military reason to drop their bombs.

--snip--

http://www.smh.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2004/03/13/1078594618101.html

[jpgray]

1. Again, the implications are more frightening here

How many bombs were dropped that should not have been, lacking the consideration of civilian casualties?

[LSdemocrat]

2. nice to see that SOMEONE was thinking

Everyone really should try thinking about what they are doing.

[NJCher]

3. the Aussies don't get it

The name of the game is to drop as many bombs as possible and cause as much destruction as possible so Halliburton and Bechtel can make the pie higher and put food on their families.


Cher

[G_j]

4. me thinks

this is a very important story,
Maybe someday we can get to the bottom of civilian casualties in Iraq, since the US refuses to acknowledge them.

[Nihil]

5. Sounds like ...

... the Aussie pilots were flying on conscience and rationality
rather than drugs ...

Full marks to those pilots.