Thu, Jul 08, 2004 - Page 6 News List

`Friendly fire' pilot found guilty

DERELICTION US fighter pilot Harry Schmidt was reprimanded, fined and demoted to the National Guard for bombing hapless Canadian troops in Afghanistan in 2002

AFP , WASHINGTON

In his reprimand, Carlson told Schmidt he was "astounded that you portrayed yourself as a victim of the disciplinary process without expressing heartfelt remorse over the deaths and injuries you caused to the members of the Canadian Forces.

"In fact, you were obviously angry that the United States Air Force had dared to question your actions during the April 17, 2002, tragedy.

"Far from providing any defense for your actions, the written materials you presented to me at the hearing only served to illustrate the degree to which you lacked flight discipline as a wingman of COFFEE Flight on April 17, 2002," he said.

Carlson said Schmidt was a talented aviator who had combat experience and "the best aviation training on the planet."

"However, by your gross poor judgment, you ignored your training and your duty to exercise flight discipline, and the result was tragic," he said. "I have no faith in your abilities to perform in a combat environment."

Carlson said the "final casualty" was Schmidt's integrity.

"Following the engagement in question, you lied about the reasons why you engaged the target after you were directed to hold fire and then you sought to blame others. You had the right to remain silent, but not the right to lie," he said.

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