NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 467-02 (703)697-5131(media) IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2002 (703)428-0711(public/industry)
CHARGES PREFERRED IN CANADIAN FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT
Criminal charges were preferred Sept. 11 against the two F-16 pilots involved in the April 17, 2002, friendly-fire
deaths of four Canadian soldiers and injuries of eight others near Kandahar, Afghanistan. The pilots are from the 170th
Fighter Squadron based in Springfield, Ill., part of the 183rd Fighter Wing, Air National Guard. Both officers have been
recalled to active duty in response to the charges in accordance with Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 802.
Maj. Harry Schmidt is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of assault. He is also
charged with failing to exercise appropriate flight discipline and not complying with the rules of engagement in the
Afghanistan area of operations. The charges were filed under Articles 119, 128, and 92 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice, respectively.
Maj. William Umbach also is charged under the same Articles, including the allegation that as flight commander he
negligently failed to exercise appropriate flight command and control and to ensure compliance with the rules of
engagement.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant preferred the charges. He was the co-president of the Coalition
Investigation Board that examined the friendly-fire incident. These charges are only accusations. Both officers are
presumed innocent.
The United States Central Command has released its final investigation report into friendly fire incident involving
Canadian ground forces in Afghanistan. The report is available at http://www.centcom.mil/News/Reports/Tarnak_Farms_
Report.htm: http://www.centcom.mil/News/Reports/Tarnak_Farms_Report.htm.
ENDS