Mike Burleson: US Pilots Take "Go Pills"

The two American F-16 fighter pilots were taking amphetamines which impaired their judgment, says lawyer Charles Gittins, after a friendly-fire incident which killed four Canadian soldiers.

Four soldiers from the Canadian Light Infantry were killed on April 17 of last year near Khandahar in Afghanistan. The pilots, Majors Harry Schmidt and William Umbach say they mistook the Canadians for enemy troops when they noticed gunfire, which was actually a live-fire exercise.

Apparently, the US Air Force supplies "go pills" to its pilots who operate on extended operations, such as Enduring Freedom. Frequent deployments have put a great strain on military personnel.

Mr. Gittins claim American pilots are forced to take the amphetamines or be grounded. The Air Force says the use of drugs are strictly voluntary.

During the Gulf War, half of the American pilots reportedly used "go pills".

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