Our Heroes Reward (this makes me sick) - Eric Nolan's Blog

Navy SEALs have secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq — the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004. And three of the SEALs who captured him are now facing criminal charges, sources told FoxNews.com. The three, all members of the Navy's elite commando unit, have refused non-judicial punishment — called an admiral's mast — and have requested a trial by court-martial. Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named "Objective Amber," told investigators he was punched by his captors — and he had the bloody lip to prove it. Now, instead of being lauded for bringing to justice a high-value target, three of the SEAL commandos, all enlisted, face assault charges and have retained lawyers. Matthew McCabe, a Special Operations Petty Officer Second Class (SO-2), is facing three charges: dereliction of performance of duty for willfully failing to safeguard a detainee, making a false official statement, and assault. Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe, SO-2, is facing charges of dereliction of performance of duty and making a false official statement. Petty Officer Julio Huertas, SO-1, faces those same charges and an additional charge of impediment of an investigation. The three SEALs will be arraigned separately on Dec. 7. Another three SEALs — two officers and an enlisted sailor — have been identified by investigators as witnesses but have not been charged. FoxNews.com obtained the official handwritten statement from one of the three witnesses given on Sept. 3, hours after Abed was captured and still being held at the SEAL base at Camp Baharia. He was later taken to a cell in the U.S.-operated Green Zone in Baghdad. The SEAL told investigators he had showered after the mission, gone to the kitchen and then decided to look in on the detainee. "I gave the detainee a glance over and then left," the SEAL wrote. "I did not notice anything wrong with the detainee and he appeared in good health." Lt. Col. Holly Silkman, spokeswoman for the special operations component of U.S. Central Command, confirmed Tuesday to FoxNews.com that three SEALs have been charged in connection with the capture of a detainee. She said their court martial is scheduled for January. United States Central Command declined to discuss the detainee, but a legal source told FoxNews.com that the detainee was turned over to Iraqi authorities, to whom he made the abuse complaints. He was then returned to American custody. The SEAL leader reported the charge up the chain of command, and an investigation ensued. The source said intelligence briefings provided to the SEALs stated that "Objective Amber" planned the 2004 Fallujah ambush, and "they had been tracking this guy for some time." The Fallujah atrocity came to symbolize the brutality of the enemy in Iraq and the degree to which a homegrown insurgency was extending its grip over Iraq. The four Blackwater agents were transporting supplies for a catering company when they were ambushed and killed by gunfire and grenades. Insurgents burned the bodies and dragged them through the city. They hanged two of the bodies on a bridge over the Euphrates River for the world press to photograph. Intelligence sources identified Abed as the ringleader, but he had evaded capture until September. The military is sensitive to charges of detainee abuse highlighted in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. The Navy charged four SEALs with abuse in 2004 in connection with detainee treatment.

Barbara Cameron Date: 1/1/2010 2:13:00 AM dear Eric, such is the way of the world! we humans are all tribal,animals would not tolerate strangers in their territory, keep out of other countries, we are a very small island and up to our eyes in debt. Ienjoyed reading your letter, but I've stopped worrying aboutevil humans a long time ago. Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/27/2009 11:04:00 PM Amen Vince..........Amen Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 11/27/2009 6:19:00 PM Elect another liberal. Neither our president, vice president or the elitist Speaker of the HOuse have ever condemned the beheading and mutilation of our soldiers or our businessmen, only the waterboarding of the poor terrorist in Gitmo. We are giving America away for the purpose of image. I'm a 30 year vet and I've never seen anything like this. I wonder what our liberals would have said had they beheaded him and televised it like our good friends in the Mid East did. It is becoming a crime in this country to be patriotic. We need change, if necessary, violent change. BMC Vince Suzadail Jr. USNR-Ret. Login to Reply

Donna Golden Date: 11/25/2009 6:47:00 PM This article brings to mind the dilemma we face on the home front: Offenders having more rights than their victims. When a criminal (or terrorist) breaks the law, it should be expected that during apprehension there could be residual harm or injury. (This doesn't even begin to describe how I personally feel that terrorists should be treated). Here in the States, we have convicted felons who have the right to file lawsuits for any reason...including not being provided with materials they need to practice their religion. While I don't believe in mistreatment of prisoners, I do believe that when the military is involved in handling terrorists, they should not be liable for using their specialized training and every skill at their disposal. So many good points have been made here, especially by you, Eric, Tim, and Frank! This is a great discussion, and I am so glad that you brought the matter to light, Eric! Login to Reply

Tim Ryerson Date: 11/25/2009 5:46:00 PM Eric - Remember that I back you up and totally agree with you on this issue...the point of my scenerio was that this SEAL incident points to something much larger and is a SYMPTOM or a result of what is really going on in our country and the world... Of COURSE if we pulled up and went home both these countries would be over-run by religious zealots who will settle for nothing less than our total destruction... eventually it would spread to every country in the Middle East and one can only imagine the consequences of that! - Tim Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 3:49:00 PM I agree with your assessment of Mr Herrera's class. Though I don't wish to detract from the issue of our government not backing up our troops. Being a former member of the military I have seen this first hand but not to this degree. So what if a terrorist got a fat lip while being captured. The SEALS had been tasked with obtaining this target and had been doing so for months. When they complete their mission they are hung out to dry because of a fat lip allegation ? Are we or are we not at war with these people ? If we are then they should drop the issue, if were not at war then bring the troops home and let the terrorist sue the SEALS for medical expenses and "emotional trauma" I realize the latter option is ludicrous but then so is the whole damn issue. If we fought WWII this way we'd all be speaking German and goose stepping. Thanks for your input. Login to Reply

Tim Ryerson Date: 11/25/2009 3:27:00 PM I just have to add one more comment and I'm done...(Mr. Herrera, by the way has just showed us all a lot of class with his kind apology to you, Eric) I have one simple scenerio that I would like to offer for all of us to consider...What would happen if we immediately pulled out of Iraq and Afganistan? What form of governments would come to power? Would they be our friends and work towards a peaceful world? (Iran is already desparately trying to develop nuclear weapons and may have already done so) I don't think there are any simple answers here...never have been and never will be....Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! - Tm Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 2:41:00 PM No need for apologies Frank, I to am sick of all the killing myself. It seems to be the only thing the powers that be are interested in anymore. It is our "political correctness" that is making decisions and policy so it seems. I fear that we as a country are doomed and quite possibly are beyond repairing if the continued course of action/inaction is followed. Your input is appreciated and valued. Thank you Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 2:36:00 PM Quite an interesting perspective Carolyn I had not looked at it that way until now. Sad that history is repeating itself. So much for human evolution. Thank you for your input Login to Reply

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 11/25/2009 1:31:00 PM This is a very sad state of affairs, Eric. When engaged in war, it is difficult to make judgment calls about what is right and what is wrong. For some reason, I'm having flashbacks to the way our Vietnam vets were treated for fighting in an undeclared war that the American people did not support. The ballad of Lt. Willliam Calley is replaying in my head. Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 12:13:00 PM I agree Janette thanks for your input. Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 12:12:00 PM Frank, perhaps you should read the story again. It has to do with the SEALS being charged with a crime for doing a job they were trained for. To answer your question, no I am not naive quite the contrary, but thanks for your rant. Login to Reply

Janette Fisher Date: 11/25/2009 9:49:00 AM This is an absolute travesty of justice. These men signed up to serve their country with no thought or regard for their own safety and this is the way they are being repaid? I'm with James on this and think that rather than capture they should get rid and move on to the next. It would not only save money on keeping them locked up and not having the expense of a trial but would also negate the need for places to lock them up in in the first place. The world has gone insane!!! Excellent blog Eric..regards Janette Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/25/2009 6:44:00 AM I agree Linda your right the world is upside down and completely out of balance. Seems like a runaway freight train with Daffy Duck asleep at the switch. Thank you for input its most appreciated. Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/24/2009 5:46:00 PM No need for apologies Tim, I served myself and have a great love and respect for all of our military. I have a particular interest in the SEALS and am a fan of Richard Marcinko, a.k.a The Sharkman of the Delta and author of "The Rogue Warrior" as well as many others. I am just beside myself with anger on this story. It makes no sense and disrespects all of our brothers and sisters who wear the uniform. Thank you for your input. Login to Reply

Tim Ryerson Date: 11/24/2009 5:24:00 PM Forgive my rambling but I had to add another comment.... The forerunners of the Navy SEALS were actually the very first to go in at Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy (WWII) Then called UDT (Under-water Demolition Teams) they were trained to clear all obstacles for the landing troops...Tim Login to Reply

Tim Ryerson Date: 11/24/2009 4:50:00 PM Amen to THAT comment, Eric!...This story is absolutely sickening to me... I am a proud U.S. Navy vet and had the opportunity to make very good friends with a SEAL in the Vietnam years...they are NOT just trained killers! They are extremely well educated and have very kind hearts and only wish to serve. There was a documentary I watched a few years back about SEAL training (boot) camp. ANY member of the armed services can apply (officers and enlisted)...not just Naval personnel...some were on the 2nd try after not making it through the first time. These people also are trained to serve as ambassadors, translators, educators, you name it...True American heroes too be sure! - Tim Login to Reply

Eric Nolan Date: 11/24/2009 1:46:00 PM I am absolutely horrified at this story, being once in the military myself I am ill at the thought of these men even being tried. I am truly angry at the powers that be are allowing this to happen. I wonder if were fighting the wrong enemy. Thank you for your input. Login to Reply