Akbar's attack blamed for slowing unit

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, April 26, 2005

[JohnHuang2]

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) -- A sergeant's attack on his own colleagues in the 101st Airborne Division in Kuwait sidelined key personnel that the unit needed for its assignment in the invasion of Iraq, a commander testified yesterday. "Everybody knew this would be a big fight," Col. Ben Hodges testified yesterday at a sentencing hearing for Sgt. Hasan Akbar, who was convicted in a grenade and rifle attack that killed two service members and wounded 14. "I never dreamed my first casualties would occur inside Camp Pennsylvania, and they would be caused by one of my own soldiers." Click to learn more... Col. Hodges commanded the 101st's 1st Brigade Combat Team and was among those wounded in Akbar's attack. He testified for the prosecution, which is seeking a death sentence for Akbar, 34. Col. Hodges, who suffered a minor shrapnel wound, was the first witness called by prosecutors, who opted not to make an opening statement in the sentencing phase.