JUST IMAGINE IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 4 AMERICANS KILLED BY AN IDENTIFIABLE PERSON THAT DID THE SAME THING! THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WOULD BE CRYING FOR PUNISHMENT....I don't think a fine would be what they'd be calling for.

Wed, July 7, 2004
Fine for soldiers' deaths
U.S. pilot reprimanded for killing four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

By MAX MAUDIE, SUN MEDIA


A U.S. Air Force commander yesterday reprimanded an American pilot who killed four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan for acting shamefully, arrogantly and without remorse. Maj. Harry Schmidt was found guilty of dereliction of duty after an hour-long, non-judicial administrative hearing into the April 18, 2002 incident, in which he dropped a bomb on a Canadian live-fire training exercise.

Families of the soldiers killed said the reprimand brought a sense of closure but they were critical of the punishment handed to Schmidt -- a fine equivalent to two months salary, about $7,525.

"You used the inherent right of self-defence as an excuse to wage your own war," said Lt.-Gen. Bruce Carlson in a written judgment made public yesterday.

"I was astounded that you portrayed yourself (in your personal presentation before me) 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."

Schmidt is still with the Illinois Air National Guard. He transferred there in 2000 after a career as a U.S. navy pilot and an instructor at the navy's top-gun fighter pilot school.

But he will "never fly again" for the U.S. Air Force or the National Guard, said Col. John Odom, the chief prosecutor on the case.

Schmidt said he dropped a bomb on a night- training exercise conducted by the Edmonton-based 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry because he mistook the training fire for a Taliban attack.

The reprimand pointed out Schmidt was warned to "make sure it's not friendlies." He was also ordered by superiors to "stand by" and later to "hold fire." Instead of taking evasive action, "(Schmidt) closed on the target and blatantly disobeyed the direction to 'hold fire.' "

Sgt. Marc Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte. Nathan Smith were killed. Eight other soldiers were wounded.

Dyer's mother, Agatha Dyer, was critical of the punishment. "Is that what the boys' life is worth? (Seven) thousand dollars (CND) roughly $5,000(US)?"

Marley Leger, Leger's widow, said "the biggest thing for me is that Gen. Carlson acknowledged what I have been feeling for a long time -- that Maj. Schmidt doesn't seem to have remorse."
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And then that flying prick has the gawl to appeal his "slap on the wrist". Absolutely NO REMORSE...he feels he's the victim! Maybe he should come to Canada and spend some time with the victims' families.