Pilot charged with manslaughter under orders to hold fire

A US pilot charged with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental bombing deaths of four Canadians in Afghanistan was under orders to hold fire when he dropped the bomb, a fellow airman testified yesterday.

Major John Milton testified in a hearing to determine whether two members of his Illinois National Guard squadron should be court-martialed for the friendly fire incident last spring.

Majors Harry Schmidt and William Umbach face up to 64 years in a military prison if convicted.