By CHAD GARLAND | STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 3, 2021 An 82nd Airborne Division soldier is facing charges stemming from a deadly firefight in Syria between U.S. forces and those backing the regime of President Bashar Assad. Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson, the platoon sergeant on a patrol that came under fire in August near the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli, faces an Article 32 hearing later this month, similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding, to review evidence against him on several charges related to that and at least one earlier incident. The charges include two counts of failure to obey an order or regulation, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of communicating threats and three counts of obstructing justice, division spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Burns said last week after Army Times reported on the case.
May 3, 2021
A US Army soldier previously under consideration for military honors for his actions during a lethal skirmish with a Syrian pro-regime militia last year is now facing criminal charges over the incident.
The US military s allegations against Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson of the 82nd Airborne Division include two counts of failure to obey a lawful order, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of communicating threats and three counts of obstructing justice. The case was first reported by Army Times.
Nicoson was the lead noncommissioned officer in a convoy of some 16 soldiers passing through a checkpoint controlled by the pro-regime National Defense Forces militia near Tal al-Zahab in August.
82nd Airborne Paratrooper Faces Charges Related to Gunfight at Syrian Checkpoint military.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from military.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gunfight at Syrian checkpoint leads to charges against sergeant first class Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson pictured during a patrol in Syria. (Courtesy of the Nicoson family) A rare gunfight between U.S. paratroopers and pro-Syrian regime forces last summer has led to charges against a senior enlisted soldier assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The clash occurred near Tal al-Zahab, in Syria’s northeast, where a tenuous U.S. military presence has guarded lucrative oil fields and chased lingering Islamic State fighters. Altercations with local militias and Russian forces last year highlighted the unpredictable nature of the mission there, and at least one incident followed soldiers home.
Gunfight at Syrian checkpoint leads to charges against sergeant first class militarytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from militarytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.