Officers stress dangers involved in search for Bowe Bergdahl

SAN ANTONIO -- The commanders of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's platoon, company and battalion testified Thursday his disappearance from his post in Afghanistan six years ago put a strain on their forces and put his fellow soldiers in danger.

Attorneys for Bergdahl, who is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, will get to present their own evidence and call witnesses today, the second day of the hearing to determine whether Bergdahl should face a court-martial.

His lead attorney, Eugene Fidell, said after Thursday's proceedings he would call four witnesses, though he declined to say whether Bergdahl would be one of them.

Military prosecutors focused on trying to substantiate the misbehavior charge, which carries a possible life sentence and would require them to prove Bergdahl's actions put other soldiers in harm's way.

Capt. John Billings, who led Bergdahl's platoon, described the 45-day search for the Idaho native as grueling, saying soldiers got little food or sleep and endured temperatures in the high 90s.

"Physically, mentally, I was defeated," Billings said, adding he felt like he had "failed" his men.

His company commander, Maj. Silvino Silvino, said some of the thousands of soldiers who took part in the search were angry about it because they felt Bergdahl had deserted.

"I would tell them we are doing what we are doing because he is our brother," Silvino testified.

Finally, Bergdahl's battalion commander, Col. Clinton Baker, said although no soldiers died as part of the search, there was a spike in improvised explosive device attacks because soldiers were going to places they ordinarily wouldn't have gone.

He also said he had to put counter-insurgency efforts on hold due to the search, and it hurt partnerships with the Afghan government and Afghan forces.

Bergdahl spent five years as a Taliban captive until he was exchanged last year for five Taliban commanders who were being held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The prisoner swap was criticized sharply by many Republicans and some Democrats, who said it was politically motivated and counter to the U.S. policy against negotiating with terrorists.

Legal experts said they expected Bergdahl's lawyers to argue he suffered enough during his years in captivity.