European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 02, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Andi stripes vol. 53, no. 168 500 sunday october 2,1994 agony of Iraq Downing also Felt by fellow fliers by Kevin Dougherty _ Kaiserslautern Bureau \ his cockpit Cah sign is Rotor a nickname bestowed upon . Air Force it. Col. Randy w. May after he shot Down an iraqi helicopter during operation desert storm. More than three years later the f-15pilot known As Rotor downed another helicopter Only this time it was a-. Army Black Hawk helicopter one of two shot out of the skies Over North Ern Iraq on april 14. There is a lot of irony to the whole thing it. Col. Gary West a Friend of May a said of the Downing. He was flying out of the same base in the same country doing the same  the Friendly fire incident resulted in it s on those where you sit Back and say  the deaths of 26 people including 15 americans military officers from Brit Ain France and Turkey and five kurd. The helicopters were ferrying the 26 on a . Humanitarian Relief Mission As part of operation provid Comfort to protect the kurd in North Ern Iraq. For his role in the Downing May has been charged with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty. An article 32hearing, the military equivalent of a grand jury proceeding is schedule nov. 7 at Sembach a Germany. Although he was the first to hit his target with an air to air missile  a. Wickson identified by sources As the Pilot of the Lead Jet is not Amon the six people charged in the Friendly fire incident. Although the air Force has refused see agony on Page 4 i accept responsibility the following is a statement writ ten by . Air Force it. Col. Randy w. May and released through his at Torney capt. Earl Martin Iii i file it. Col. Randy w. May has expressed sorrow in a written statement for the accidental Down ing of two Black Hawk helicopters Over Iraq. I want to say at the outset How tar Ribov Rry i am for the events of 14 april 1 994. Although the military is Ait inherently dangerous profession i know this docs not Lessen the unthinkable heartache others have Felt White saying i am sorry might no seem to be enough it is All i can do. I offer my most sincere condolences tothe families and loved ones of those who died., a accept responsibility for the role1 played in this tragic Accident. I did fire a missile which destroyed a .Black Hawk helicopter. My decision to fire was the last action in a Longchan of events involving a number of people and agencies. Numerous errors occurred in the Chain of events. The decision to fire was based inhuman error and in a perfect world it would Havet Iever happened however in acknowledging my responsibility in this Accident i am not saying that i am criminally culpable for the events of 14 april. In fact just the opposite is True. I was not derelict in the performance of my duties. I am inno cent of the charges which have been brought against me. Of the referral offend myself facing an article 32 hearing. While i am deeply disappointed events have progressed to this Point i Welcome the Opportunity for a full airing of this matter in a forum which will once and for All Putty Case to rest. The article 32 hear ing is charged to evaluate the truth of the allegations against me. Once the facts Are reviewed i am confident Mocase will never proceed to a court  family and i would like to thank the Many people who have offered their support during this difficult time. The outpouring of Goodwill prayers and assistance from the military and civilian communities has been truly remarkable. To All of you who have stepped Forward than you very much. In closing i want to remind every one that our Mission and intentions on 14 april were honorable. My flight Leader and i were two Well trained highly experienced pilots performing our Mission to the Best of our Abili ties. We were proud to be in Northern Iraq protecting the kurdish people As part of operation provide  Mission we flew was not con ducted haphazardly but was per formed in a disciplined manner As planned and briefed human error did occur and it resulted in a fatal mistake which will never leave my thoughts. I deeply regret an Effort begun with such High purpose ended in such a tragic Accident 30-year italian concessionaire sues cafes House team to study Bias at . Bases in Europe inside today american boy hit by gunmen in Wall Dies d 8693 a Mission in Haiti has limited support � do you favor or source a Mitor to p