Marine testifies he heard distant small arms fire after convoy was bombed in Afghanistan

By: ESTES THOMPSON - Associated Press | Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:55 PM PST ∞

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The driver of a Humvee targeted by a car bombing in Afghanistan last year said Thursday he heard distant gunfire after the explosion, testimony that followed his comrades claims that they were fired upon.

Sgt. Heriberto Becerra-Bravo said the March 4 blast violently shook his vehicle, and the Humvee's gunner then began firing his M240 machine gun. Becerra-Bravo said he could hear small arms fire in the distance during pauses in the gunner's response.

"He was firing in controlled bursts. ... eight to 10 rounds at a time," Becerra-Bravo said.

Other servicemen testified Wednesday that the six-vehicle convoy was fired on after the bombing. They spoke as part of an unusual Marine "Court of Inquiry," a fact-finding proceeding that will recommend whether two officers will be charged with a crime.

Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission had concluded the Marines had fired indiscriminately at pedestrians and motorists in response to the bombing.

But attorneys for the two officers, Maj. Fred C. Galvin, the company commander, and Capt. Vincent J. Noble, a platoon leader, argue that the shootings were a justified reaction to a well-planned ambush, and that the death toll was lower than the 19 that the Army counted.

On Wednesday, one Marine in the lead Humvee testified that the ambush was so severe that crossfire cut trees branches as the convoy fled.

"You could see branches falling across the road ... all along our route," testified Sgt. Benjamin Baker. "We were taking semiautomatic small arms fire all along this road."

Another witness, Sgt. Brett Hayes, testified that the convoy was fired upon at least three times. Hayes said the gunner in his Humvee shouted that he was taking small arms fire from both sides of the road, and Hayes said he heard cracks of the bullets passing overhead.

"I'm 100 percent sure we were taking fire," Hayes said. "And I'm sure we had to kill some guys who were shooting at us."

Habib Sahar, a U.S. citizen working in Afghanistan as a translator for the military, also testified Wednesday that he heard gunfire in the distance after the car-bombing, a defense lawyer said.

On the Net:

Marine Special Operations Command: http://www.marsoc.usmc.mil/

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.