Human error to blame for Marine deaths in Nevada
Iran Press TV
Fri May 31, 2013 10:33AM GMT
A military investigation has concluded that human error was to blame for the mortar blast that killed seven Marines and injured 8 others in the US state of Nevada earlier this year.
First lieutenant Oliver David said in a press release on Wednesday that a marine operating a 60mm mortar tube “did not follow correct procedures, resulting in the detonation of a high explosive round at the mortar position.”
The statement further noted that the mortar team involved in the accident had not conducted “appropriate preparatory training.”
The mishap took place at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada during a nighttime live fire exercise on March 18. The Marines were from the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Military investigators also determined that the 60 mm mortar had been working properly, and “found no reason to question the safety of the system when it is employed as designed and as marines are trained to employ it.”
Marine officials announced earlier this month that two officers and a non-commissioned officer were removed from command in connection with the deadly blast.
Brigadier General James Lukeman, the commanding general of the Camp Lejeune-based 2nd Marine Division, dismissed battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Andrew McNulty from his post on May 8.
Company commander Captain Kelby Breivogel and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Douglas Derring, the battalion's infantry weapons officer, were also relieved of their duties.
The three officers were dismissed because Lukeman “lost trust and confidence in their ability to ensure proper preparation for, and conduct of, live-fire training events.”
David said that no criminal charges are expected to be filed as a result of the investigation.
MP/ NN/
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
