An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Hurlburt Field Fla., April 24, 2014. The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily as an intelligence-collection asset and secondarily against dynamic execution targets. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
By: FEDweek StaffIn the aftermath of numerous reports citing the infliction of harm upon civilians, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has called for a reassessment of methods for avoiding civilian casualties. He additionally wants the services to acknowledge harm to civilians when it occurs, and use lessons learned from the experience to implement avoidance tactics, techniques and procedures in future combat operations. Austin wants to see results of the review, which he termed the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMRAP), in 90 days.
“It is a strategic and a moral imperative,” Austin stated, promising that the services would be given any necessary tools to bring the plan to fruition.
Austin also called for:
• Establishment of a civilian protection center, charged with expediting and institutionalizing plans to improve practices that would prevent civilian harm while accomplishing critical missions.
• Development and implementation of a standardized system for reporting incidents, and managing the data as it is accumulated.
• Set up a process to review guidance associated with the implementation of an appropriate response to civilian casualty incidents when they occur. This would include determining how condolence payments and public acknowledgement should be handled.
• Incorporation of all guidance directed at “addressing civilian harm across the full spectrum of armed conflict into doctrine and plans,” Austin stated.
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