U.S. pilot found guilty in 'friendly fire' incident

CNN.com ^ | July 6, 2004

[South40]

Mistaken bombing killed four Canadians

(CNN) -- An Air Force pilot involved in a "friendly fire" bombing that killed four Canadian troops in Afghanistan was found guilty Tuesday of dereliction of duty, reprimanded and ordered to forfeit more than $5,000 in pay.

Maj. Harry Schmidt, a decorated IllinoisAir National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from the 170th Fighter Squadron, has until July 12 to decide whether to appeal.

[South40]

FYI

[Pukin Dog]

No appeal, and you can bet friends will chip in to pay the fine.

[Lancey Howard]

bttt

[South40]

Schmidt "flagrantly disregarded a direct order from the controlling agency, exercised a total lack of basic flight discipline over [his] aircraft, and blatantly ignored the applicable rules of engagement and special instructions."

That's some serious shiite!

I don't know what to think about this.

While it appears flagrantly derelict on the surface only he can know what it was like in the cockpit at the time.

[greasepaint]

The US Bomb Delivery Force, needs to get rid of
flying pilots, and buy RPVs.
A RPV is not concerned with saving its own butt,
cuz its a machine....Resulting in, more
thought-out responses from the operator on the ground.

[South40]

I don't agree that accepting these results is worth getting the Canadians to shut their traps.

Schmidt deserves to have his country stand behind him, not pander to the whims of our socialist neighbors to the north.

[Pukin Dog]

Well, he did turn 4 Canadians into hamburger. It was a mistake, and he took responsibility. Schmidt's friends know what kind of man he is.

[Steel Wolf]

An Air Force pilot involved in a "friendly fire" bombing that killed four Canadian troops in Afghanistan was found guilty Tuesday of dereliction of duty, reprimanded and ordered to forfeit more than $5,000 in pay.

Considering what they wanted to nail him on, this is a slap on the wrist. It's a travesty, given the circumstances of the accident, that this even was prosecuted, but that's politics.

[Pukin Dog]

The US Bomb Delivery Force, needs to get rid of flying pilots, and buy RPVs. A RPV is not concerned with saving its own butt, cuz its a machine....Resulting in, more thought-out responses from the operator on the ground.

That is the single dumbest thing I have ever read here, but for too many reasons than I care to go into tonight. Bomb Delivery Force? Oh, someone stop me......

I've had enough for one night.

[South40]

Politics?

Politics should never influence the adjudication of such a case.

Facts and evidence should be first and foremost.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I am not sure but I think he was joking.

[Dr. Luv]

I wonder what we would think if the situation was reversed and a Canadian CF-18 pilot ignored an order to check fire and dropped a bomb on Marines, killing four and injuring 8.

Methinks that we would be spitting insults if all he received was a fine. Perspective is a wonderful thing...

[youngtory]

BUMP