Two American airforce pilots are to face criminal charges over a bombing incident in Afghanistan. Both men are majors the Illinois Air National Guard and have been recalled to active duty to face the charges, the Pentagon said today.
Harry Schmidt was charged with four counts of manslaughter and eight counts of assault.
He was also accused of failing to exercise appropriate flight discipline and not complying with the US military's rules for firing weapons in Afghanistan.
Four Canadian soldiers who were on a night-time training exercise were killed by a 500 pound bomb that Schmidt launched from his F-16 jet, and eight others were wounded.
Schmidt told investigators he thought he was firing on hostile forces.
William Umbach, the flight commander, was charged with negligently failing to exercise appropriate flight command and control and to ensure compliance with the rules for firing on a target.
"These charges are only accusations," a Pentagon announcement said. "Both officers are presumed innocent."
Schmidt and Umbach are members of the 170th Fighter Squadron based in Illinois, which is part of the 183rd Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard.
The Pentagon did not say whether the case will go directly to a court martial or will first be considered under Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which is akin to the grand jury process in civilian courts.
AP