'Go Pills' at Issue in Hearing on Friendly Fire
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Thursday January 16, 2003 14:04
by pat c
I wonder if the US Airforce pilots landing at Shannon are on Speed?* 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 lawyer argued Tuesday at the opening of a military hearing to determine whether they should be court-martialed.
'Go Pills' at Issue in Hearing on Friendly Fire
BY DOUG SIMPSON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.
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 lawyer 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, lawyer for Maj. William Umbach. He also said the pilots were given antidepressants upon returning from their mission. Umbach and Maj. 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. Beck and Charles Gittins, Schmidt's lawyer, have said the fighter pilots were not told Canadian troops were conducting live-fire exercises and believed their F-16s were under attack. Beck said Tuesday that the Air Force issues amphetamines to help pilots stay awake during long missions. He promised to raise the issue later in the hearing, which is expected to last about two weeks. "The Air Force has a problem. They have administered 'go pills' to soldiers that the manufacturers have stated affect performance and judgment," Beck said. The proceeding is akin to a grand jury hearing in the civilian justice system. Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the 8th Air Force, will decide whether the pilots will be court-martialed. 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. The first witness called Tuesday was Canadian infantry Capt. Joseph Jasper, who said the exercise included "quite a bit of anti-tank fire" and heavy machine gun fire. However, he said the Canadians had not fired their weapons for several minutes when he heard the bomb blast. "Basically we looked at each other and said, 'What the hell was that?' " Jasper said.
Comments (4 of 4)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4Do they have any "go and don't come back" pills?
the fact that the US military give their Storm Troopers these drugs just shows how little the hierarchy thinks of its' own people.
In the eyes of the 'leaders', the soldiers/airmen etc. are mere peices of meat, to be used like any other piece of equipment.
When looking at these camoflagued soldiers stepping onto Irish soil at Shannon we should see them for what they are - youngsters who have been brainwashed and hypnotised, pieces of meat in the eyes of their scheming masters.
there are thousands of different types.
The Germans started miilitary devolopment of amphetamines at the end of the nineteenth century.
Amphetamines increase alertness for a short period of time though are very hard on the bodyīs reserves. In the "comedown" period after use, sideeffects include paranoia, bodyshakes and sweatypalms.
I am no military expert but I do not imagine that any of these states are desirable for operators of complex aircraft.
That is why traditionally the USAF has recruited heavily amongst members of the christian evangelical churches and the Mormons, whose clean lifestyle means their hands donīt shake. They also have less qualms about bombing the godless.
These recruits have often spent a year watching the godless at close quarters and being regularly verbally abused by them during door to door bible course sessions.
Friendly fire has mostly been directed at Canadians. More Canadians have been killed by the USAF than either Britons or Australians.
It has been suggested to me that this a deep psychological effect of a popular movie which portrayed the US military going to war against Canada Saddam and Satan soem years back over foul language in cartoons.
Canada is the only country that has defeated the US military in open land engagement. 1810 I seem to remember but donīt trust me.
dontīdo speed. it is very bad for you.
and donīt use foul language.
Pyramid selling is typical of drug supply.
and exploitation of the poor.
of the thousands of type of amphetamine that have been developed some can be made in a house with mininal difficulty.
This has fueled many nasty peoplesī drinking money over the years.
but to the point.
At present South East Asia is experiencing a new type of amphetamine based drug, which fuels slum labour and crime.
Find out about that.
Thailand and Laos.
and you know just thinking about the social effects and $ invovled will bring you back to thinking about childhood the world over.
and those "up and go" notions.
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