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Guard Pilots to Face Hearing at Barksdale
Thursday, September 19, 2002
(5:33 PM CT)
By Robert Burns
Associated Press Writer

A joint U.S.-Canadian investigation found a breakdown in flight discipline, violations of standing rules governing the use of force, a lack of timely communication by the pilots and shortcomings within the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group to which Schmidt and Umbach's squadron was assigned.

WASHINGTON -- AP
A military court will hear involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault charges against two Illinois Air National Guard fighter pilots involved in a mistaken bombing of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

The hearing could lead to court-martial proceedings against the pilots.

The decision to hold the hearing was made last Friday, but not publicly announced, said 2nd Lt. Jennifer Ferrau, a spokeswoman at 8th Air Force headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Earlier that day, the Pentagon said that the manslaughter and assault charges had been filed.

Ferrau said a date has not been set for the hearing, to be held at Barksdale, nor has a decision been made about whether the hearing will be open to news coverage.
(More: NewOrleans.net News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan