Court Of Inquiry

posted by Jennifer Hlad on Jan 28

Maj. Derik Erickson, an Army logistics officer, took the stand this morning after the phone call with Lt. Wicks.

Erickson was assigned to MSOC-F to help with their logistical issues, he said.

The problem Erickson said, was that MSOC-F was deployed with no support element and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) could not supply the company with support.

After repeatedly running into brick walls, Erickson resorted to exploring other channels to find support, but was turned down again when he proposed the plan to CJSOTF.

“In my opinion, CJSOTF just couldn’t do what needed to be done,” he said, explaining that he felt it was a combination of not wanting to and not being able to help.

“MSOC-F was, in essence, pushed on CJSOTF,” and when they were briefed on the unit’s needs, that seemed to make things worse, Erickson said.

“I sensed a real animosity towards the MSOC,” he said.

The special operations command knew what MSOC-F needed to be successful, and Erickson said it seemed they were setting MSOC-F up to fail.

Erickson also testified he had somehow gotten an e-mail sent by Maj. Ukeiley, MSOC-F’s liaison officer. Erickson said he was surprised at “the negative light that (Ukeiley) was shedding on MSOC-F.”

“He was not representing MSOC Fox’s best interests,” Erickson said.

Even though MSOC-F was dealt a difficult hand — including “less than desirable conditions” at the base and a lack of access to even the simplest things, they dealt with the situation “as best they could,” Erickson said.

The Marines had to “cut drug deals,” or make trades just for food or supplies, he said. The Army special operations units at the same base had boxes of cereal, but MSOC-F couldn’t get any and instead was sent trucks full of flour, cooking oil and other raw supplies — even though they had no cook or way to prepare food.

The electrical wiring at the base was “suspect,” Erickson said, and everything was just in “sad shape.”

Additionally, Erickson said he was impressed with the Marines’ professionalism.

They were confident, he said, but did not show “bravado.”

“They were focused on their mission, but not excessively,” he said.