- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/08/03/schmidt040803.html
NEW ORLEANS - A U.S. fighter pilot reprimanded for accidentally dropping a bomb on Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan two years ago, killing four of them, has lost his final air force appeal.
Last month, Major Harry Schmidt was found guilty of derelicition of duty for his actions. His punishment included a written reprimand and having to forfeit $5,600 US in pay.
Gen. Hal Hornburg did not write an opinion in Tuesday's ruling. He just check-marked "appeal denied."
Schmidt, 39, has agreed that he will never fly U.S. air force jets again, although he remains in the National Guard.
Schmidt was one of two National Guard pilots who dropped bombs on Canadian forces during a nighttime, live-fire military exercise near Kandahar on April 18, 2002.
The four soldiers were the first Canadians killed in combat since the Korean War. Eight others were wounded.
Schmidt maintains he was not briefed on the Canadian exercise before the flight. He says he was told in the briefing that the Taliban was active in the area.
NEW ORLEANS - A U.S. fighter pilot reprimanded for accidentally dropping a bomb on Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan two years ago, killing four of them, has lost his final air force appeal.
Last month, Major Harry Schmidt was found guilty of derelicition of duty for his actions. His punishment included a written reprimand and having to forfeit $5,600 US in pay.
Gen. Hal Hornburg did not write an opinion in Tuesday's ruling. He just check-marked "appeal denied."
Schmidt, 39, has agreed that he will never fly U.S. air force jets again, although he remains in the National Guard.
Schmidt was one of two National Guard pilots who dropped bombs on Canadian forces during a nighttime, live-fire military exercise near Kandahar on April 18, 2002.
The four soldiers were the first Canadians killed in combat since the Korean War. Eight others were wounded.
Schmidt maintains he was not briefed on the Canadian exercise before the flight. He says he was told in the briefing that the Taliban was active in the area.
