In addition, The Times review found that the Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), a critical player who made a major miscalculation that night, had a checkered career.Upon arriving June 1 in Afghanistan, he had been told before the operation that he had been selected for “involuntary separation,” meaning his Air Force career was over.
This JTAC also had been demoted in rank for misconduct. On another occasion, he was kicked out of a special unit because he twice called in close air support directly over friendly positions during training. Yet he was allowed to participate in the operation on relatively short notice.
The Times has learned the JTAC showed a lack of basic knowledge about close air support when interviewed afterward by investigators.
This friendly fire incident was not due to budget cuts or sequestration. It was due to incompetence and IMHO criminal negligence on the part of the controller.
The JTAC was a contributing factor. The fact that the pilots were forced to fly this mission in the first place, using a Strategic Bomber to perform a mission it was not designed for (Close Air Support) was the primary cause. Any accident investigation will determine the Primary cause, coupled by contributing factors (i.e. fatigue, communication, equipment failures, etc).