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U.S. NEWSFriday 18 September 2015
Officers stress dangers involved in search for Bowe Bergdahl
JUAN A. LOZANO Col. Daniel J.W. King, right, U.S. Army Forces Command Director of Public Affairs, speaks to because he is our brother,”
Associated Press Silvino testified.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The members of the media after a preliminary hearing to determine if Sgt. Bergdahl should face a Finally, Bergdahl’s bat-
commanders of Sgt. Bowe talion commander, Col.
Bergdahl’s platoon, com- court-martial, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Bergdahl, who left Clinton Baker, said that al-
pany and battalion testi- though no soldiers died as
fied Thursday that his disap- his post in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years, is charged with desertion and part of the search, there
pearance from his post in was a spike in improvised
Afghanistan six years ago misbehavior before the enemy. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) explosive device attacks
put a strain on their forces because soldiers were go-
and put his fellow soldiers which would require them soldiers got little food or er, Maj. Silvino Silvino, said ing to places they ordinar-
in danger. to prove that Bergdahl’s sleep and endured tem- some of the thousands ily wouldn’t have gone.
Attorneys for Bergdahl, actions put other soldiers peratures in the high-90s. of soldiers who took part He also said he had to put
who is charged with deser- in harm’s way. Capt. John “Physically, mentally I was in the search were angry counter-insurgency efforts
tion and misbehavior be- Billings, who led Bergdahl’s defeated,” Billings said, about it because they felt on hold due to the search
fore the enemy, will get to platoon, described the 45- adding that he felt like he Bergdahl had deserted. and that it hurt partnerships
present their own evidence day search for the Idaho had “failed” his men. “I would tell them we are with the Afghan govern-
and call witnesses on Fri- native as grueling, saying His company command- doing what we are doing ment and Afghan forces.
day on the second day of Bergdahl spent five years
the hearing to determine as a Taliban captive un-
if Bergdahl should face a til he was exchanged last
court-martial. His lead at- year for five Taliban com-
torney, Eugene Fidell, said manders who were being
after Thursday’s proceed- held at the U.S. detention
ings that he would call center at Guantanamo
four witnesses, though he Bay, Cuba. The prisoner
declined to say if Bergdahl swap was sharply criticized
would be one of them. by many Republicans and
Military prosecutors fo- some Democrats, who said
cused on trying to sub- it was politically motivat-
stantiate the misbehavior ed and counter to theU.S.
charge, which carries a policy against negotiating
possible life sentence and with terrorists.q
3 Air marshals from Chicago implicated in prostitute scandal
ALICIA A. CALDWELL Oversight and Government concerned about the un- conduct are substantiated. scandal involving the Se-
Associated Press Reform Committee. derlying charges. “Even though constrained cret Service. The former
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two A spokeswoman for the “If these allegations are from commenting on an head of the Drug Enforce-
federal air marshals have panel, M.J. Henshaw, said accurate, they are obvi- active investigation, we ment Administration also
been suspended and a Federal Air Marshal Service ously inappropriate for any- can confirm that two of the came under fire earlier this
third has resigned amid al- Director Roderick Allison one, let alone air marshals employees involved have year amid allegations that
legations they hired pros- told the committee about charged with securing our been placed on an indefi- drug agents attended sex
titutes overseas and re- the allegations within the skies,” Cummings said. nite suspension without pay, parties with prostitutes while
corded at least one sexual last week. A spokesman for the Trans- and the third employee has stationed overseas.
encounter with a govern- Allison is scheduled to tes- portation Security Admin- resigned from the agency,” Former Attorney General
ment-issued device. tify about the case before istration, which oversees TSA spokesman Bruce An- Eric Holder advised Justice
The investigation of the the committee, Rep. Jason the Federal Air Marshal derson said. Department staff in April
three, who are from the Chaffetz. He did not men- Service at the Homeland Lawmakers have focused that it was against depart-
Chicago field office, is ex- tion the case in written testi- Security Department, said their attention on question- ment policy to hire prosti-
pected to be the subject mony sent to the panel. TSA will hold its employees able behavior by federal tutes, regardless of whether
of a congressional hearing Rep. Elijah Cummings said accountable if allegations law enforcement officials the practice was legal in a
Thursday before the House Wednesday he remained of criminal behavior or mis- since a 2012 prostitution particular jurisdiction.q
