Friendly Fire (11 Feb. 2003)

A Navy pilot drops a bomb on a British position, killing three soldiers and injuring others. In a court-martial he faces charges of involuntary homicide and dereliction of duty. Mac and Bud prosecute, Sturgis defends, and Harm presides.

Director:

Kenneth Johnson

Writers:

Donald P. Bellisario (creator), Paul Levine

Stars:

David James Elliott, Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David James Elliott	...	Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.
Catherine Bell	...	Lt. Col. Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie
Patrick Labyorteaux	...	Lt. Bud Roberts, Jr.
John M. Jackson	...	Adm. Albert Jethro 'A.J.' Chegwidden
Scott Lawrence	...	Cmdr. Sturgis Turner
Dean Stockwell	...	SecNav Edward Sheffield
Gabriel Olds	...	Lt. Cmdr. David Ridley
Harry Van Gorkum	...	Lt. Whitehall
Tony Denison	...	CAG USS Coral Sea
Zoe McLellan	...	P.O. Jennifer Coates
John Furey	...	Cmdr. Sachs
Alex Nesic	...	Lt. Cmdr. Barry
Jane Longenecker	...	Lt. Kaufman
Chip Heller
Bill O'Reilly	...	Himself

Storyline

Near the end of a nine-hour patrol over Afghanistan, a US carrier-based pilot, claiming self-defense, drops a 500-pound bomb on a British position, killing three soldiers and injuring others. He stands accused of violating the rules of engagement and disobeying an order to hold his fire (from a controller aboard an AWACS aircraft while seeking clarification about friendly forces). In a court-martial the pilot faces charges of involuntary homicide and dereliction of duty. The officially approved use of go-pills is involved. Mac and Bud prosecute, Sturgis defends, and Harm presides. Bill O'Reilly, a TV commentator, appears as himself. Mac later gets a temporary assignment.

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Plot Keywords:

criminal justice

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Peter Strauss Ranch - 3000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode is based on a true event, the shameful and deeply regrettable Tarnak Farm incident, in which on 17 April 2002 an Air Force pilot dropped a laser-guided bomb on Canadian forces, killing four soldiers and wounding eight others. The pilot was a graduate of the US Naval Academy, a former Naval aviator, a student and (later) an instructor of the TopGun school, and a student and (later) of the corresponding Air Force school.

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