Hmmm...the skunk's been let out of the bag!

WMAY-AM Springfield, IL | story aired on radio 1/8/02 | Jack and T.J.

[ward_of_the_state]

Oh boy, I hope I'm first with this! If I've missed anything, please help me fill in the blanks, Freepers! This is in regards to the current investigation into Majors Schmidt and Umbach (spelling?) out of the 183rd in Springfield, IL.

According to information in court papers that WMAY morning show co-host Jack Anderson somehow got ahold of, it seems that the above-mentioned Majors were told the night of the unfortunate accident that they could very well be flying over enemy fire from Afghan forces. Apparently, these two pilots were told absolutely nothing about there being any Candadian forces in the area.

It appears then, that Majors Schmidt and Umbach are indeed being offered up as sacrificial lambs. Any other Freepers in this are, or anywhere else that heard this or knows anything about it, please help me out here; I am listening and typing at the same time. The trial begins Monday, if I am correct. This is very important with war looming.

I can tell you that Jack Anderson, who broke this information, is a former U.S. congressman and Pentagon official.

[concerned about politics]

This was reported , oh...about a few weeks ago...on a NY radio satation here. Jack Galigar show, maybe?
Acording to the report, no, the pilots had no information about Canadian forces.
As a matter of fact, the military seems to be blaming it on pilots medication. They say sometimes pilots take a stimulator if they've been flying for quite some time to keep them alert. So, "it may have been a medication induced err."
Canada wants heads to roll, and I think the military has decided to sacrifice the pilots. According to the host, these pilots are a couple of the very best.

[concerned about politics]

There's also a chance our military didn't really know Canadians were there either. It sounds like a break in communications somewhere. Someone, somewhere, didn't pass it on. Could be the US, could be Canadians.
Because their guys got hit, the last thing we need to do is blame it on them, although it may be true. It's bad military PR, that's for sure.

[ward_of_the_state]

Okay, sorry. The info on WMAY this morning was the first I heard about it.

From what I heard this morning, the go-pills will be a large part of the Majors' defense; they were apparently told if they didn't take the pills, they would not be found fit to fly.

As for Majors Schmidt and Umbach being two of the best, yes, the 183rd has a sterling reputation, thank you!

[ward_of_the_state]

From what I can gather, there isn't the intention of blaming the Canadians; I think the pilots' commanding officer is who may be looked at for the communication breakdown. My concern has been that because we haven't really been sure if the Canadians are behind us against Iraq or not, that these two pilots are being hung out to try to garner Canadian support.

[concerned about politics]

if they didn't take the pills, they would not be found fit to fly.

I would question that part. Unless they were volenteering extra duty or something.
"You can't fly unless you're buzzed" just doesn't sound right to me.

[concerned about politics]

that these two pilots are being hung out to try to garner Canadian support.

Only based on the reports I've heard so far, I'd agree with that part.

[ward_of_the_state]

Well, I don't have a good answer for that. All I can say is that's what this reporter has been hearing.

[concerned about politics]

Well, I don't have a good answer for that. All I can say is that's what this reporter has been hearing.

Could be just one report, being discussed on various radio stations. To be "fair and balanced", I'd like to hear from a different report, too. The original reporter could very well be biased. There's a lot of "peacenick" reporters running around right now - ready to jump on the military for just about anything.
Guess we need to hold our place until we hear more.
Better safe than sorry, aye?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

F16 Pilots Expected Taliban Fire: US airmen never warned of Candians' exercise

[CholeraJoe]

The trial begins Monday, if I am correct.

The Article 32 hearing is Monday. An Article 32 hearing is a preliminary hearing to determine if sufficient cause exists to proceed to trial.

[ward_of_the_state]

I said I was sorry!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

If I've missed anything, please help me fill in the blanks, Freepers!

You're welcome, ingrate.

[ward_of_the_state]

Well, that's rather mean-spirited. I took your post to mean that the article was posted before mine, so I was being reproached for a needless post. However, I apologize and stand corrected and appreciate your assistance. Hopefully you will not hold it against me.