Brian Williams news: NBC investigating anchor after admission that Iraq war story was false

NEW YORK -- NBC launched an internal probe on Friday of "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams' claims about his reporting on the Iraqi War in 2003.

In an internal memo NBC News President Deborah Turness told staff that a team has been formed that will be dedicated to gathering the facts. Williams apologized on TV for making a mistake after saying he was in a helicopter that was hit and forced down by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) during the invasion.

NBC news anchor for "Nightly News," is under fire from veterans and active duty members of the U.S. military after lying about being under fire while in a helicopter during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. After soldiers, who actually were in the aircraft that took the enemy fire, revealed his story to be false, Williams apologized on-air, calling his embellishment a "mistake."

Williams told his false version of events while giving a tribute to a retired command sergeant major at a New York Rangers game Friday. He said that on March 24, 2003, he was aboard a Chinook helicopter that was impacted by a shoulder launched weapon and forced to land. He replayed the moment on his news show, which is broadcast and watched by more than 10 million viewers.

Altogether, Williams was actually with the downed birds for about 10 minutes. He and an NBC crew took several photos before leaving the site to see other Army operations in the area.