No courtmartial recommended for pilot who killed CDN troops
Posted: 2003-03-20 03:14pm
From the CBC:
Yep, the USAF really holds the lives of allied troops in high regard, doesn't it?No trial for mistaken bombing, hearing recommends
Last Updated Thu, 20 Mar 2003 14:35:17
NEW ORLEANS - A military hearing has recommended that two American pilots who dropped a bomb on Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan last spring should not face a court martial.
Investigating officer Col. Patrick Rosenow says there is sufficient evidence to try Majs. William Umbach and Harry Schmidt on charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and dereliction of duty.
But he says their punishment could best be addressed by sanctions determined by a higher-ranking officer.
Four Canadian soldiers were killed in the bombing on the night of April 17, 2001:
* Sgt. Marc Leger
* Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer
* Pte. Richard Green
* Pte. Nathan Smith
The bombing near Kandahar left eight other Canadian soldiers wounded. They were involved in a nighttime, live-fire exercise.
The hearing, similar to a preliminary hearing in Canada or a civilian grand jury in the U.S., was held in January and lasted for eight days.
The last government witness, Brig.-Gen. Stephen Sargeant, testified that the two pilots had acted with "reckless disregard" on the night of the accidental bombing.
Both Umbach and Schmidt say they have been made scapegoats by the military.
"I was called upon to make a perfect decision in a rapidly unfolding combat environment," said Schmidt, who dropped the laser-guided bomb. "I had to make that decision with what I now know, with the acuity of 20-20 hindsight, was imperfect information."
The final decision about what to do is up to Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the 8th Air Force.
He is not bound by Rosenow's recommendation.