There has been a lot going on the last few weeks. We have had constant reminders of both war and hope as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix continues its training and mentoring mission while we also reach out with humanitarian assistance operations.

Tragically, there have been civilian deaths in a number of incidents that involve Afghan, U.S. and coalition forces over the last several weeks. These occurances are setbacks for coalition efforts to improve conditions for the people and build confidence in their elected government.

Recent headlines coming out of Afghanistan have mostly focused on the alleged killing of innocent civilians during an operation in which Afghan National Army commandos supported by U.S. special forces called for air support in response to an ambush. These forces are part of another task force conducting direct operations against insurgents with Afghan National Army units.

Coalition reports after the fight stated that at least 25 insurgents, including a key Taliban leader, were taken out. The deaths of five innocent civilians, including women and children caught in the crossfire, were also confirmed. However, within a day of the incident came other reports that the attack caused the deaths of more than 90 innocent civilians who were simply involved in a memorial service.

The furor intensified as a U.N. representative went on record saying there was convincing evidence that supported the contention of a high civilian death toll. Afghan President Harmid Karzai even fired his senior Army officer in the region and blamed the U.S. for indiscriminate and irresponsible bombing. It’s the latest installment in ongoing public outcries against civilian deaths that have allegedly resulted from air attacks.

Civilian deaths have occurred when U.S. and allied forces have come under fire and called for support from the air or from artillery. We know this is an enemy tactic -- ambush positions set up in villages and hamlets designed to draw our fire so that civilians will be struck. Of course the enemy shows no remorse when IEDs or suicide bombers claim the lives of civilians, including women and children. In fact, it is most often the coalition that provides the medical care to the innocent victims.

We never target civilians, never. We go to incredible lengths to avoid hitting anyone except the enemy, and most of the time, the Afghan government acknowledges these efforts and our restraint. Even when Close Air Support or artillery fire has been called for, the request for fire support is stopped if civilians are seen in the targeted area. But the enemy knows that, too. When civilians are hit, it is because we didn't know they were there.

As the news headlines hit peak recently, there seemed to a pause from the Afghan government. The tenor and tone of the criticism seemed to be dulling and there were messages of reassurance that the Afghan government and people are truly grateful for coalition support. There are official statements to the effect, though, that the Afghan government wants to reset agreements on the status of forces here and have more input into the decision process when the use of air assets in response to enemy actions is under consideration. The messages stressing that even greater care needed to be shown to avoid civilian casualties continues.

Then in the last few days came additional stories that described the Taliban's information tactics, how they were known to intimidate people to make false claims and that desperately poor people had an incentive to claim losses in order to be paid compensation. It's the practice here. Fox News reporter Oliver North has been embedded with forces on the ground and his camera crew actually filmed this battle. Now he has filed his own report.

And just a little while ago, an official release has gone out about the U.S. investigation into the incident that has now been completed. So I will conclude today's entry with the release. The coalition is basically sticking to the original report, with more detail.

Coalition forces complete Shindand investigation

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) — A Coalition forces’ investigation into allegations of civilian deaths resulting from an Afghan National Army and U.S. Coalition forces incident in western Afghanistan on the morning of Aug. 22 is complete.

The investigation found that ANA and U.S. forces began taking fire from Taliban militants as the combined force approached their objective during a planned offensive operation, in the early hours of darkness on August 22nd in Azizabad, Herat province.

The intensity of the enemy fire justified use of well-aimed small-arms fire and close-air support to defend the combined force. The type and application of fires were used in accordance with existing rules of engagement.

The investigation found that 30-35 Taliban militants were killed including evidence suggesting a known Taliban commander, Mullah Sadiq, was among them. In addition, five to seven civilians were killed, two civilians were injured and subsequently treated by Coalition forces, and five Taliban were detained.

The range in the casualty numbers were determined by observation of the enemy movements during the engagement as well as on-site observations immediately following the engagement.

In addition, investigators discovered firm evidence that the militants planned to attack a nearby Coalition forces’ base. Other evidence collected included weapons, explosives, intelligence materials, and an access badge to a nearby base as well as photographs from inside and outside of the base.

The engagement disrupted any planned attack.
The investigating officer took statements from more than 30 participants, both Afghan and U.S., in the operation. Additionally, the investigating officer reviewed reports made by ground and air personnel during the engagement; video taken during the engagement; topographic photo comparisons of the area before and after the event including analysis of burial sites; reports from local medical clinics and hospitals; intelligence reports; and physical data and photographs collected on the site.

Local government officials, Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces were denied entry into the village the day following the event.

No other evidence that may have been collected by other organizations was provided to the U.S. Investigating Officer and therefore could not be considered in the findings.

The results of the investigation were provided to Gen. David McKiernan, International Security Assistance Forces commander, as the senior military commander in Afghanistan for his use as part of a joint inquiry into this incident.

The investigating officer conducted the investigation using methods prescribed by U.S. Army Regulation 15-6, Procedures for Investigating Officers and Boards of Officers.

Lt. Col. Fanning is submitting photos to accompany this blog in a gallery, "Pictures from the Front." To view the gallery, click here.