Pilot punished for Kuwaiti bombing accident

From Jamie McIntyre
CNN Military Affairs Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy F-18 pilot who mistakenly dropped bombs on U.S. troops last March during exercises in Kuwait is guilty of dereliction of duty, U.S. military officials said Monday.

A punitive letter of reprimand has been issued against Cmdr. David Zimmerman that will likely force his retirement, military officials said.

RESOURCES Fatal military accidents over the last year Bio of Cmdr. David O. Zimmerman   MESSAGE BOARD Accident in Kuwait

Six people were killed in the March 12 "friendly fire" accident at the Udairi training range in Kuwait, including four U.S. Army soldiers, an Air Force air controller and a New Zealander.

A military investigation determined last month that Zimmerman released the three 500-pound bombs one second before an Air Force controller on the ground cleared him. Zimmerman was found guilty at a non-judicial hearing known as an "admiral's mast" May 13, and Monday was relieved of command of Strike Fighter Squadron 37, based at Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The ground controller and an airborne spotter were given non-punitive reprimands, officials say.

An F-14 pilot, Lt. Patrick Mowles, who was helping direct the practice bombing exercise from the air, was found not guilty of dereliction of duty, but was subject to other unspecified non-punitive administrative action for telling Zimmerman he "looked good."

The forward air controller, Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Crusing, who radioed the pilot he was "cleared hot," was also given a non-punitive reprimand, because, although his call was in error, it came a second or two after the pilot had already dropped his bombs.

Sources said the bombs hit about 1.4 miles from the intended target, near an observation tower where the five Americans and New Zealander were killed.

Navy officials say Zimmerman was temporarily assigned to the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman at the time of the accident.