US friendly fire pilot 'ignored order'

Four Canadian soldiers were killed in the bombing

One of two US pilots charged with manslaughter for mistakenly bombing Canadian troops in Afghanistan last year was under order to hold fire when he dropped the bomb, according to prosecutors.

On a videotape of the bombing played by US Air Force lawyers at a military hearing on Friday, a flight controller is heard saying "hold fire" after the pilot, Harry Schmidt, requested permission to use his 20-millimetre cannons.

In their mind set they are being fired on, and they believe they are in danger and need to invoke self-defence

Major John Milton

A fellow pilot also testified that Major Schmidt thought he was being fired on from the ground - and never blamed air force-sanctioned amphetamines that his lawyers say were at fault.

The air force brought charges against Major Schmidt and his flight commander, William Umbach, in connection with the death of four Canadian soldiers in the friendly fire incident last April.

The hearing at Barksdale Air Force Base, in Louisiana, will determine whether the two airmen should be court-martialled.

Major Harry Schmidt is accused of failing to exercise appropriate flight discipline and not complying with the US military's rules for firing weapons in Afghanistan.

Major William Umbach, who was flying in a separate jet on the same mission, is accused of failing to exercise appropriate flight command and control and to ensure compliance with the rules for firing on a target.

Imaginary attack

The Canadian troops were on a night-time training exercise near the southern Afghan city of Kandahar when they came under attack.

Sgt Marc Leger was among those who died

At Friday's hearing, another airman, Major John Milton, testified that Major Schmidt thought it necessary to stop what turned out to be an imaginary attack from the ground.

"Our discussion has been that he did what he believed he had to do," he said.

"In their mind set they are being fired on, and they believe they are in danger and need to invoke self-defence."

Lawyers for the two men have said that the pilots were not told that Canadian troops were in the area.

'Go pills'

The lawyers also argued that the air force gave Dexedrine, or "go pills", to soldiers, which affect performance and judgment.

But in his testimony, Major Milton said Harry Schmidt did not blame the pills for his decision to drop the bomb.

"He never talked about it," Major Milton said.

Another issue that defence lawyers are expected to raise is that charges have not been filed in other similar incidents, for example when US helicopters attacked an Afghan wedding celebration in July, 2002, killing 40 people.

The hearing is expected to last up to three weeks.

The friendly fire incident has embarrassed the American military and caused tension between the US and Canada.