Following a massive investigation into allegations of war crimes in the Australian military, which has led to criminal charges and the disbanding of a Special Air Service squadron, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) have announced their own inquiry.
The investigation, according to a released Defense Department memo, will focus on whether programs were implemented to reduce war crimes and if war crimes were properly reported.
The Inspector General plans to examine whether these two commands, "developed and implemented programs in accordance with DoD Law of War requirements to reduce potential law of war violations when conducting operations. We will also determine whether potential USCENTCOM and USSOCOM law of war violations were reported and reviewed in accordance with DoD policy" the memo states.
The memo names the organizations that will be involved in the investigation, including McDill Air Force base where Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT is based), Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve, and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) under which the military's elite SEAL Team Six and Delta Force exist.
Allegations and reports of war crimes amongst U.S. Special Operations units have circulated for nearly two decades, some of which were acquitted in courts of law while others, it seems from the presence of the investigation itself, may never have been reported up the chain of command properly.
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