The classified program was described in investigative documents related to recently filed murder charges against three snipers who are accused of planting evidence on Iraqis they killed.
"Baiting is putting an object out there that we know they will use, with the intention of destroying the enemy," Capt. Matthew P. Didier, the leader of an elite sniper scout platoon attached to the 1st Battalion of the 501st Infantry Regiment, said in a sworn statement. "Basically, we would put an item out there and watch it. If someone found the item, picked it up and attempted to leave with the item, we would engage the individual as I saw this as a sign they would use the item against U.S. Forces."
I really can't fault these guys for baiting insurgents. Falsely planting weapons and explosives on the guys to show that they were indeed insurgents is dishonorable and a crime, but if they are baiting the insurgents, good for them.
Insurgents in Iraq love to hide behind women and children, dress as civilians, dress in burqa's, and do all sorts of other cowardly things to avoid detection.
Soldiers said that about a dozen platoon members were aware of the program, and that numerous others knew about the "drop items" but did not know their purpose. Two soldiers who had not been officially informed about the program came forward with allegations of wrongdoing after they learned they were going to be punished for falling asleep on a sniper mission, according to the documents.
So are these soldiers coming forward because they want to save their own skins for falling asleep? Or are they coming forward with legit concerns?
Personally, dropping items on a dead guy to further justify the killing is just asking for trouble. If they were justified, then let the facts come out and that's that. Don't get caught doing something stupid and then end up facing murder charges when/if you were justified in shooting the person to begin with.
Travis
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