Bergdahl commander: Disbelief when he left

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's commanding officer when the Idaho native vanished from his post in Afghanistan six years ago testified Thursday that he thought his soldiers were playing a joke on him when they told him Bergdahl had gone missing.

Speaking at the outset of an Article 32 hearing to determine whether Bergdahl should face a military trial on desertion and other charges, Capt. John Billings said that when he realized they were telling the truth, he was "in shock, absolute utter disbelief that I couldn't find one of my own men. That's a hard thing to swallow," he told the military prosecutor, Maj. Margaret Kurz.

Kurz alleged that Bergdahl had planned for weeks to abandon his post and that there was enough evidence to warrant that the Idaho native face a court-martial.

"Under the cover of darkness, he snuck off the post," Kurz told the officer presiding over the hearing.

Bergdahl, who spent five years as a Taliban captive before being exchanged for five Taliban commanders being held by the United States, took notes throughout the proceedings, which could last several days.

When asked if by the presiding officer if he understood the charges, he said "Yes, sir."

Before the start of the hearing, which is taking place at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where Bergdahl has been stationed since returning to the United States last year, legal experts said they expected Bergdahl's lawyers to argue that he suffered enough during his years in captivity.

Before disappearing from his post in southeastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009, Bergdahl had expressed opposition to the war in general and misgivings about his own role in it.

His lead attorney, Eugene Fidell, has cited an Army investigation that determined Bergdahl left his post, but not the Army, and that his "specific intent was to bring what he thought were disturbing circumstances to the attention of the nearest general officer."

Fidell said he plans to call witnesses, but he declined to say whether Bergdahl would be among them or to disclose further details about his strategy.

Officials say the Taliban captured Bergdahl after he left his post. After he was exchanged for the five Taliban prisoners who were being held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Bergdahl was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

If convicted of the misbehavior charge, he could face up to life in a military prison. He could also be dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank, and made to forfeit all pay.