Oops on camera

I think Brian was suffering from "Hillary Clinton Near a War Zone Airport Syndrome".
 
Was sad to read, I actually like Brian Williams as a News Anchor.
 
CNN reached the pilot of the helicopter Williams was on. Pilot was quite gracious and wound up confirming much of William's version, some details were off.

* Multiple choppers, lead one was fired on with RPG
* William chopper (#2) was fired on and hit by small arms fire. Door gunners returned fire
* Lead chopper set down immediately
* Chopper 2 & 3 continued on mission to drop their load (bridge parts) and returned to chopper #1 where it landed (so yes, some small delay)
* Chinook crews were the ones that set up the perimeter; ground units happened by much later (day +)

So Williams's story would seem to be more true than not. The group of helicopters he was with took RPG fire (his particular one was 6 rotor blades away says the pilot). His particular chopper did receive small arms fire. They did all wind up landing together and there was a perimeter set up, but the ground troops came later.
 
CNN reached the pilot of the helicopter Williams was on. Pilot was quite gracious and wound up confirming much of William's version, some details were off.

* Multiple choppers, lead one was fired on with RPG
* William chopper (#2) was fired on and hit by small arms fire. Door gunners returned fire
* Lead chopper set down immediately
* Chopper 2 & 3 continued on mission to drop their load (bridge parts) and returned to chopper #1 where it landed (so yes, some small delay)
* Chinook crews were the ones that set up the perimeter; ground units happened by much later (day +)

So Williams's story would seem to be more true than not. The group of helicopters he was with took RPG fire (his particular one was 6 rotor blades away says the pilot). His particular chopper did receive small arms fire. They did all wind up landing together and there was a perimeter set up, but the ground troops came later.


Actually … no.

Since you didn’t bother to supply a link to one media entity (CNN) covering up for another media entity (NBC). Let’s see how much Brian Williams “mis-remembered.”

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/nbc-...ts-iraq-story-after-soldiers-protest-1.327792

Direct from the horses mouth – the crew members on the 159th Aviation Regiment’s Chinook that was hit by two rockets and small arms fire:

“…the NBC anchor was nowhere near that aircraft or two other Chinooks flying in the formation that took fire. Williams arrived in the area about an hour later on another helicopter after the other three had made an emergency landing, the crew members said.”


“Williams and his camera crew were actually aboard a Chinook in a formation that was about an hour behind the three helicopters that came under fire, according to crew member interviews.”

“That Chinook took no fire and landed later beside the damaged helicopter due to an impending sandstorm from the Iraqi desert, according to Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Miller, who was the flight engineer on the aircraft that carried the journalists.”
 
Thanks for the link, Jcleppe.

Actually … no.

Since you didn’t bother to supply a link to one media entity (CNN) covering up for another media entity (NBC). Let’s see how much Brian Williams “mis-remembered.”

Sean, I didn't provide a link because I watched the story on television. But I went and found it for you since that seems important...

http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/02/05/lead-bpr-krell-brian-williams-under-fire.cnn

I know we all love to crucify those in the public eye, but perhaps yet another rush to judgment might be happening here when the actual pilot of the chopper Williams was aboard (real horse's mouth?) confirms much, but not all, of his story. Your opinion may vary of course and you are entitled to it.

As to why you believe a rival network has any interest in vindicating NBC's news anchor.... I guess I don't spot conspiracy theories as well as some.
 
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Med B – jeez, straw man much?


As far as your original source – what a surprise, CNN seems to be walking their original reporting:

http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/06/media/stelter-iraq-pilots/index.html

The pilot I interviewed on Thursday about Brian Williams is no longer standing by his story.
That pilot, Rich Krell, told me he was flying the helicopter Williams was on in Iraq -- an account now contradicted by several other soldiers.




As far as “crucify those in the public eye” and this issue is “ but perhaps yet another rush to judgment” – lets see what former news NBC anchor Tom Brokaw is reported to have said:

http://pagesix.com/2015/02/05/tom-b...s-fired/?_ga=1.61121772.1582418298.1411455594

or Erik Wemple who writes for the Washington Post – this is the same reporter who was crucial in debunking the Rolling Stone / UVA rape story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...williams-scandal-is-an-nbc-news-wide-scandal/
 
You win. I can't compete with what a NY Post reporter said an un-named insider said about what Brokaw said, but Brokaw publicly denied in writing.

Memories are funny things, especially under stress. And if seasoned warriors are misremembering, should we be surprised that civilian journalists might?

Guessing there is a reason that fact-checking for both commendations and condemnations for actions under fire often take so long.
 
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I specifically remember the incident. I remember watching an interview with Williams immediately after. He was sitting with Gen. Wayne Downing, who was aboard the Chinook with him.

I do not remember, however, if he claimed his bird took any fire; only that was ground fire and RPG's in the vicinity and that a sandstorm stranded them in what Gen. Dowding described as "Indian" country.

Would be interesting to see that again and compare it to the more recent account.

Like J, I am sorry to see this. I always found his calm demeanor a nice change from the hair-on-fire delivery that seems to be the new norm. He is also very funny. While not as egregious as Dan Rather's stunt, it probably calls for at least an exile for a period of time.
 
Thanks for the link, Jcleppe.

I know we all love to crucify those in the public eye, but perhaps yet another rush to judgment might be happening here when the actual pilot of the chopper Williams was aboard (real horse's mouth?) confirms much, but not all, of his story. Your opinion may vary of course and you are entitled to it.

As to why you believe a rival network has any interest in vindicating NBC's news anchor.... I guess I don't spot conspiracy theories as well as some.

Don't forget the fact the crew members are disputing the pilots version. Suppose if we want to get the trugh, someone could review the pilots and crews military record (a good chance there is something in their military record to support the incident). What makes you think that the pilot's memory is any better than crew members of another aircraft. If you want to go down the path of consipiracy, perhaps the pilot is supporting Williams story to make himself better. I am just suggesting a theory, not taking a side

As for CNN vindcaiting NBC's news anchor, it could be about protecting their industry and we don't know what kind of relationship exist between folks in CNN and NBC (i.e help us out and will return the favor later)
 
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