Friendly-fire pilot told to hold off before bombing

An American pilot who mistakenly bombed Canadian troops in Afghanistan last year, killing four of them, was under orders to hold fire when he dropped the bomb, a fellow airman testified.

However, Maj John Milton also said "hold fire" orders did not apply when pilots believed they were under attack.

Maj Milton spoke at a hearing to determine whether two members of his squadron should be court-martialled.

Majors Harry Schmidt and William Umbach are charged with involuntary manslaughter and could face up to 64 years in a military prison if convicted.