3rd SFG Soldier Killed

[specwarnet]

Posted from http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/03/13/military.kuwait.04/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A ground controller cleared a Navy pilot to drop his bombs, then tried to call off the practice strike that left six dead in Kuwait, officials said Tuesday.

Monday's accident at a training ground in Kuwait killed four U.S. Army personnel, a U.S. Air Force sergeant and a military observer from New Zealand.

Those killed were watching the live-fire exercise from an observation post when the pilot of an F/A-18 Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman released three bombs that struck near their position. Another seven people, including two Kuwaitis, were injured.

The military Tuesday released the names of the U.S. servicemen killed by the bombs, identifying them as:

• Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason M. Farley, a tactical air controller assigned to the Army base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

• Army Staff Sgt. Troy J. Westberg of Wisconsin, assigned to the Third Special forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

• Army Staff Sgt. Richard N. Boudreau of
Florida, assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company at Fort Lewis, Washington.

• Army Sgt. Phillip M. Freligh of Nevada,
assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company at Fort Lewis, Washington.

• Army Spec. Jason D. Wildfong of West
Virginia, assigned to the 707th Ordnance
Company at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Also killed was New Zealand Army Maj. John
McNutt.

Pentagon officials told CNN it is still not certain why the pilot, Cmdr. David Zimmerman, thought the observation post was the intended target. Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, a Pentagon spokesman, said he did not know what the actual target of the bomb run was.

Troops were practicing close air support missions, in which fliers strike targets on the ground to aid ground forces.

Sources told CNN that the air controller told Zimmerman he was "cleared hot" as he descended for the strike, indicating that he was free to drop the unguided, 500-pound bombs. But after the bombs were released, the ground controller radioed "Abort, abort," according to an informed defense official.

Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of U.S. forces in the region, is appointing officers to investigate the incident. Preliminary results are expected in three weeks.

Quigley said it was not clear Tuesday whether the ground controller who signaled Zimmerman to drop his bombs was among those killed.

[Zulu6]

I will go by his team room and pay my respects.

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Prepare to cross over................

[dragonrain]

thoughts and prayers for the family and friends.

dr

[18A5S]

In addition to SSG Troy Westberg, at least two 3 SFG guys were seriously wounded. They were the TM SGT and Senior Commo SGT from the same detachment as Westberg.

I know the names, but I don't want to put them on the web.
The TM SGT has serious head wounds and has been evaced to Germany. The Commo SGT had his leg removed and is stable in Kuwait. He is scheduled to fly to Germany tomorrow.

[ED18D]

My condolences to these men's families.

[Jeff Rambo]

My deepest condolences to the family, extended family, and friends of the men involved.

------------------
Sincerely,
Jeff A. Rambo
NBTNDT
------------------
Disrespect cannot be commanded, it must be earned.

[FutureRanger2000]

My condolences to their families.

[noirluispher]

I know the TM Sgt and Commo Sgt personally. They will appreciate hearing the support from you guys. I am in Bosnia and will be taking a hop to Germany this weekend to see them. I will let them know about all the support that you guys are sending.

[This message has been edited by noirluispher (edited 03-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by noirluispher (edited 03-14-2001).]

[Conservative]

Gee, when I posted this article it was locked up and moved.

However, my deepest condolences to the families and men that past on.

------------------
"Give me your blessing, and I'll give you the last beat of my heart."

[Gunny Hicks]

My Condolances to the families and Team Members. It is especially hard to lose a Brother in Arms by friendly fire.

Semper Fidelis


Conservative: I think your original post was moved before the developing story Identified casualties belonging to the SF community.

[Scout]

My condolences and prayers go out to them and their families.

Scout

[lavbo0321]

Fearlessness is better than a faint-heart
for any man who puts his nose out of doors.

The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago

Silence becomes the Son of a prince,
To be silent but brave in battle:
It befits a man to be merry and glad
Until the day of his death.

The coward believes he will live forever
If he holds back in the battle,
But in old age he shall have no peace
Though spears have spared his limbs

[Gunny Hicks]

....a Coward will die a thousand deaths, but a Hero dies but one...


I don't recall if this is the end of the previous post or not. But it does fit.

And for those killed in this training incident, although not in Battle against an armed foe, they never the less; died a Heroes death because they were in Uniform doing what they had chosen to do. Serving to protect these United States of America.

[This message has been edited by Gunny Hicks (edited 03-14-2001).]

[TonyM]

http://www.caber-records.com/mp3/amazing_grace.mp3

[E19]

It is a sad day at JFK when a pair of jumpboots is sitting on the steps of the chapel. It is a place that never fails to bring tears to my eyes whenever I visit.

So many brave men have been eulogized at that chapel and unfortunately SSG Westberg
will not be the last.

My deepest condolences to his family, his teammates, and to all the men of the 3rd SFG.

Let us not forget the two troopers who were wounded in this tragic accident and their families.

Here is yet another example why SOF should not be trivialized by a TV game show.

"De Oppresso Liber"



[This message has been edited by E19 (edited 03-14-2001).]

[D-Boy]

My respect and condolences to those whose lives were taken from them prematurely and to the families and loved ones who have suffered a great loss. May those brave men never be forgotten. My prayers go out to you. Rest in peace fallen heroes.

[Doc]

The Memorial Service for SSG Troy J. Westberg will be on 19 March 2001 at 1100 hrs. at the JFK Chapel.

Duty Uniform

[Paintman]

This piece I found from a Ranger website at :



http://www.airborneranger.com/2001/pages/weekly_rant/



My utmost condolences.



Chris



---------------------------------------------



Fallen Comrade  3/15/2001



by Dave



This week I decided not to rant about anything. Instead I'm gonna tell you about a guy that I had the honor to serve with that died in thatbombing accident in Kuwait. Troy Westburg. I know this is a Ranger site and Troy was never in Ranger Regt. or went to Ranger school but he was a Warrior and good friend nonetheless. I went to SFAS with him in Mar 98 and part of the SF medic course. He was one of those guys that you can count on for a good sick sense of humor in the suckiest of times, didn't bitch or whine no matter what. He went through knee surgery after blowing it out and suffered a nasty infection after it. Still he displayed this 'fuck it, drive on' attitude knowing it would set him back in the medic course 6 months into an already long and hard school.

He went through long and (literally) torturous rehab to break the granulation tissue that had developed. He told me on how bad it sucked and how he screamed into a towel, biting it during the forced movements

of his leg. The good part of this story is when all the sick-lame-n-lazys and profile riders in the room left (probably from

guilt) because of his yelling. He had this strange sense of pride when he told me of this experience, I thought was cool.



He loved going to go see the Fayetteville hockey team with the guys and the 'Hockey Idiot'. He was a good father and a loyal husband to Michell, even though he gave 'em hell just for a good laugh. I would crack up at the way he walked on his toes and his kids in trail walking just like him. Like most in the service, giving somebody hell is part of military life. He was always willing to jump on the bandwagon to 'give'em shit'. I was the butt of jokes on many instances and as silly as it sounds, I would love to here him give me shit one more time for something stupid I

have done. 

He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

[This message has been edited by Paintman (edited 03-16-2001).]

[XavieN]

God bless them all,
rip.

[adhoc]

The Memorial Service for SSG Troy J. Westberg will be on 19 March 2001 at 1100 hrs. at the JFK Chapel.
Duty Uniform

THANKS FOR POSTING; WILL BE THERE.