Gates: US Should Apologise For Mistakes Quickly

By Cernig

Bob Gates has obliquely suggested that it might be an idea if the US military didn't always deny its mistakes as a first response, cover them up as a second and only admit them as a third when others uncover the truth.

"I think the key for us is, in those rare occasions when we do make a mistake, when there is an error, to apologize quickly, to compensate the victims quickly and then carry out the investigation," Gates told reporters later at Bagram airfield, where he received a briefing from an Air Force general on the rules and restrictions U.S. pilots must follow when providing aerial support to U.S. and allied troops engaged in ground fighting.

In Kabul, Gates offered the people of Afghanistan his "personal regrets" for U.S. airstrikes that have killed civilians and said he would try to improve the accuracy of air warfare, the imperfect fallback for U.S. commanders who say they don't have enough ground forces for the deepening Afghanistan war.

"As I told them, I offer all Afghans my sincere condolences and personal regrets for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition airstrikes," Gates said after meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. "While no military has ever done more to prevent civilian casualties, it is clear that we have to work even harder."

That last sentence is just spin, mind you. It's probably unproveable, but other nations like Germany and the UK, both of whom stress low-level flying precisely so that pilots can "eyeball" the target themselves, have arguably done more.

All of this is sparked by recent "mistakes" in Afghanistan, though - where the US military ran through its until-now SOP of denial, cover-up and reluctant admission over an airstike that hit women and children instead of militants. Maybe relying on fingerpointing in return for bounties isn't the best idea. But if the US military continues that policy, then I'm sure apologizing quickly will really help the inevitable dead and maimed from other such mistakes...

Another "not the best idea" move: Gates delivered this speech while standing in front of an A-10 ground attack aircraft with a shark's teeth mouth painted on its nose. Probably not the best framing, Bob.