GI Afghan 'Death Squad' Probe Now Targets Leaders

Leadership of 5th Stryker Brigade allegedly did nothing to stop killings

By Mark Russell, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2010 3:30 AM CST

(Newser) – With at least 5 US soldiers accused of forming a "kill team" that murdered Afghanistan civilians, the US military is now investigating the brigade's leadership, reports the Guardian. A brigadier general is conducting a "top to bottom" review of the army's 5th Stryker Combat Brigade after evidence emerged that the brigade's leadership did nothing to intervene, even after the killings were being widely discussed. The 5 soldiers are charged with involvement in 3 murders of Afghan civilians, mutilating bodies, and collecting fingers and skills from corpses as trophies.

Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs is the alleged leader of what prosecutors characterized as a death squad based in Kandahar province. "Gibbs had pure hatred for all Afghanis and constantly referred to them as savages," said one soldier facing a court martial for the killings. Seven other soldiers have been charged with lesser crimes, including covering up the killings, drug use, and collecting body parts as souvenirs.

A soldier with the 5th Stryker Brigade on patrol in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Showing 2 of 3 comments

fancygapva

Dec 30, 2010 10:49 AM CST

The Sargent thought the Afghans were savages? Savage is as savage does. Certainly most of our military is honorable and overworked but there are those for whom war activates their violent and criminal tendencies, and part of that atmosphere includes leadership that does not encourage professional behavior

Dave

Dec 30, 2010 5:13 AM CST

from the article - "the brigade's leadership did nothing to intervene, even after the killings were being widely discussed." ____________________________________________________________ The US military really is the scum of the earth. A bunch of gangbangers leeching off of big government just like welfare queens.

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GI Afghan 'Death Squad' Probe Now Targets Leaders

Leadership of 5th Stryker Brigade allegedly did nothing to stop killings

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Afghanistan • US Army • court martial • 5th Stryker brigade • Kill Team

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