Pilots Reportedly Face Charges
WASHINGTON — The Air Force will recommend criminal charges against two Illinois Air National Guard pilots who mistakenly bombed Canadian troops in Afghanistan in April, killing four, U.S. officials said Thursday.
A joint U.S.-Canadian investigation found that the two pilots did not follow proper procedures. Additional details are to be released today, after which the charges may be announced.
A senior U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Air Force would recommend that Maj. Harry Schmidt be charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to exercise appropriate flight discipline.
Maj. William Umbach would face charges of aiding and abetting Schmidt in the involuntary manslaughter, according to the defense official.
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