<

Governor Defends Pilots Facing Charges
Thursday, October 24, 2002
(4:23 AM ET)
By John O'Connor
Associated Press Writer

Schmidt and Umbach must report to Barkdsale Air Force Base in Louisiana late this year or early next for a military hearing to determine if the charges will be pursued. Their lawyers have asked for a new investigation, saying the one that faulted the pilots was biased and was not conducted according to Air Force procedure.

SPRINGFIELD, Il. -- AP
Gov. George Ryan said he stands behind two Illinois pilots facing criminal charges in a mistaken bombing that killed four Canadians in Afghanistan, saying the men are responsible soldiers -- "not cowboys."

Ryan, meeting with reporters outside the Executive Mansion during a $50-a-person fund-raiser for Majs. Harry Schmidt and William Umbach, said it was his duty as Illinois' commander in chief to support the men.

"I was responsible for sending those people, or signing off for them to go when called by the federal government. If I don't stand behind them, I don't know who would," Ryan said. "And I don't know why I wouldn't."

Schmidt and Umbach are members of the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Fighter Wing based in Springfield.
(More: A Baltimore Sun News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Standing behind his soldiers is more than his responsibility. It’s his duty as governor of the state of Illinois -- and every one of his reservist pilots knows that.

Dan