Friendly fire

Friendly fire is the accidental or mistaken use of force against one’s own or allied forces. It can result from misidentification, communication failures, or weapons and tactics that endanger nearby troops.

Combat identification: The process of distinguishing friendly forces, hostile forces, and civilians during military operations. Mistaken identification is a direct route to firing on allied forces.
Fog of war: The uncertainty and incomplete information that characterize military operations. It makes reliable identification and awareness of friendly positions difficult.
Gulf War air-to-air friendly fire incidents: A series of 1991 Gulf War incidents in which coalition aircraft shot down other coalition aircraft. They illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing friendly aircraft during fast-moving air combat.
Combat stress reaction: A range of psychological and physical responses to the extreme stress of combat. Survivors of friendly-fire incidents may experience severe distress and lasting psychological effects.
Enemy fire: The use of weapons against a force by an opposing combatant. Friendly fire comes from one’s own or allied forces rather than the enemy.
Target misidentification: The incorrect identification of a person, vehicle, or position as a legitimate target. It converts uncertain battlefield information into an attack on friendly forces.
Situational awareness: Perception and understanding of relevant conditions, events, and positions in an environment. Gaps in awareness can leave a unit unaware that allies are nearby.
Battle of Kasserine Pass: A 1943 World War II battle in Tunisia between Axis and Allied forces. U.S. troops suffered friendly fire during the confused fighting around Kasserine Pass.
Military investigation: A formal inquiry into events, conduct, or failures within an armed force. Investigations establish how an incident happened and whether procedures or individuals failed.
Accidental discharge: The unintended firing of a firearm without a deliberate decision to shoot. An accidental discharge is one possible cause, while friendly fire also includes mistaken deliberate attacks.

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