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CENTCOM commander apologizes for drone strike on wrong carload of kids

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CENTCOM commander apologizes for drone strike on wrong carload of kids

Oopsie.

Duffel Blog
Sep 24, 2021
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CENTCOM commander apologizes for drone strike on wrong carload of kids

www.duffelblog.com

By Dick Scuttlebutt

WASHINGTON — Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commanding general of U.S. Central Command, apologized last week for a drone strike that mistakenly killed the wrong vehicle full of children.

“I offer my sincere apology,” McKenzie said. “We thought the car we were striking contained a terrorist and his large family, but in fact contained an aid worker and his also large family. I take full responsibility for this strike and this tragic outcome.”

The attack was intended to be a retaliation for the deadly Aug. 26 suicide bombing at Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate during the evacuation from Hamid Karzai International Airport. 

Asked if his admission of personal responsibility for the mistake meant he intended to resign, McKenzie reacted with visible confusion.

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“Oh, no,” McKenzie replied, “when I said full responsibility, what I meant was, I will appoint a National Guard one-star to conduct a 45-day fact-finding mission to Tampa. After he publishes his findings, we will consider the…

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