Testimony: no one was killed in lengthy search for Bergdahl

The company commander at the time of the incident said he instructed his men to search high and low to find ‘one of their brothers’. Bergdahl – who disappeared from his post in 2009 in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years – is facing a military tribunal to determine whether he should undergo a court-martial on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

Under questioning, Billings admitted he had no idea Bergdahl had been discharged earlier by the Coast Guard after a mental health evaluation.

Bergdahl, now 29, sat with his defense attorneys, across the room from the Army’s legal team. Bowe Bergdahl, who faces military charges for leaving his post in Afghanistan, begins Thursday in which military prosecutors and his lawyers will make their cases for why he should or shouldn’t face trial.

Bergdahl’s former platoon leader described him as a good soldier whose disappearance rocked the unit. “It’s a hard thing to swallow”, he said, adding that a squad of men was immediately sent out to look for him.

“The indicted acted with counsel negligence to a consequences of his actions”, Maj. Thousands of soldiers took part in the search over 45 days, the article says.

Silvino Silvino, said some of those soldiers were angry at Bergdahl’s alleged desertion.

“Once the Article 32 is completed, the report will be forwarded to [Commanding General of Army Forces Command Gen. Mark] Milley, who is the general court-martial convening authority”.

GOP lawmakers and even some Democrats have called the swap politically motivated and criticized Obama for negotiating with terrorists.

Bergdahl’s lead attorney, Eugene Fidell, has urged the public not to draw a conclusion until hearing all the evidence.

Forget counterinsurgency-in the weeks after the sergeant’s disappearance, troops from his post risked their lives to scour the area and slept outdoors, commanders testified Thursday.

It could be the first time we hear Bergdahl’s version of events which led to his capture in Afghanistan and five years in Taliban captivity. Margaret Kurz said Thursday that Bergdahl had actually been planning for weeks to abandon the post and had emailed friends and family about his plans beforehand. He was captured by the Taliban and held five years.

SAN ANTONIO-An Army mental-health board concluded that Sgt.

Capt. John Billings (left) is questioned before hearing officer Lt. Col. Mark A. Visger (center) by Maj.

Some of Bergdahl’s former Army comrades also said they believed he deserted. If referred to a court martial, he could face a maximum of life in prison, according to ABC News. If convicted, Bergdahl also could be dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank and made to forfeit all pay.

The Article 32 hearing – roughly the equivalent of a grand jury hearing in the civilian justice system – had been set to take place in July, but it was subsequently postponed until today.