ATTORNEY: AMPHETAMINES MAY HAVE AFFECTED 2 PILOTS

U.S. Hearing Opens In Fatal Bombing Of Canadian Soldiers

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AP) - Two U.S. pilots who mistakenly dropped
a bomb that killed four Canadians in Afghanistan had been issued
amphetamines before the mission to stay awake, a defense attorney argued
Tuesday at the opening of a military hearing to determine whether they
should be court-martialed.

The Air Force-issued "go pills" may have impaired the pilots' judgment,
said David Beck, an attorney for Maj. William Umbach. He also said the
pilots were given antidepressants when they returned from their mission.

Majs. Umbach and Harry Schmidt are charged with involuntary manslaughter
for dropping the guided bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan, on April 17. The
Air Force has said they failed to make sure there were no allied troops in
the area.

Mr. Beck and Charles Gittins, Maj. Schmidt's attorney, have said the pilots
were not told Canadian troops were conducting live-fire exercises and
believed their F-16s were under attack.

Mr. Beck promised to raise the issue of amphetamines later in the hearing.

"The Air Force has a problem. They have administered 'go pills' to soldiers
that the manufacturers have stated affect performance and judgment," Mr.
Beck said.

The Air Force has said that the pills are used to manage fatigue during
long missions and that their effects have been tested.

The proceeding is akin to a grand jury hearing in the civilian justice
system. Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the 8th Air Force based at
Barksdale, will decide whether the pilots will be court-martialed for the
friendly-fire accident.

The two Illinois National Guard pilots also face charges of aggravated
assault and dereliction of duty and could get up to 64 years in military
prison if convicted.