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| Afghanistan |
| Leaked e-mail: RAF Worse Than Useless |
| 2006-09-22 |
| The RAF is giving "exceptional" support to ground forces in Afghanistan, the head of the British Army has said after a highly critical e-mail was leaked. General Sir Richard Dannatt reacted to a leaked e-mail from a major with the main UK battle group, which described the RAF as "utterly, utterly useless". Major James Loden of 3 Para, based in Helmand, said more help was needed. Gen Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, called the comments "irresponsible" and "regrettable". He said in a statement: "The Harriers and the support helicopters have played, and continue to play, a vital role in ensuring the battle group's success," he said. "Irresponsible comments, based on a snapshot, are regrettable," he added. In the leaked e-mail, confirmed as genuine by the Ministry of Defence, Maj Loden said there had been "plenty of tears" following casualties in the intense fighting with the Taleban. He is based in the north of the southern province of Helmand. His e-mail also gave an example of the RAF's failure to provide air support. "... Harrier pilot 'couldn't identify the target', fired two phosphorous rockets that just missed our own compound so that we thought they were incoming RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades], and then strafed our perimeter, missing the enemy by 200 metres," it said. Gen Dannatt countered that he had visited Afghanistan since the incident described, saying: "Following my recent visit... the men of the battle group left me in no doubt as to the value of the RAF's support to their operations." Earlier on Friday, an MoD spokesman said the "tears" Maj Loden referred to were "not tears of exhaustion or frustration". "This is a reflection of the fact these men are under daily attack and sadly there are often daily casualties." The spokesman added that the "moving" and "humbling" e-mail "reflects both how intense the fighting can occasionally be, and the enormous courage, dedication and skill of the British troops" in Helmand. Some were "working to the limits of endurance, but their morale is high and they are winning the fight", he added. Maj Loden's comments about the RAF "do not reflect the view of the vast majority of soldiers", the spokesman said. It had "performed brilliantly in defending coalition forces", he added. BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said Maj Loden's comments reflected what officers were saying privately, but their tone and emphasis were at odds with the MoD's official statements. Other Parachute Regiment officers had told him they prefer to call in American A-10 Tankbusters for air support when under fire because of what they see as the RAF's ineffectiveness, he added. Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey called on the government to "provide an urgent statement" in response to Maj Loden's "disturbing comments". His e-mail showed "the need for a reassessment of the full range of capabilities required to accomplish the Nato mission" in Afghanistan, Mr Harvey added. "As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead." |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #6 Quit your F**king sniveling Major Loden, and get your head back in the fight!!! You always have to consider close air support as a convenience, and if you don’t mark/call your targets effectively (“Harrier pilot 'couldn't identify the target'”)sh*t happens.. |
| Posted by: Joe of the Jungle 2006-09-22 23:00 |
| #5 Ya, nothing like two countries in a nite, life rock. as far as Harrier pilots go they are just as good as the rest. Just because one pilot made a mistake under fire does not mean they are all bad. This is just politics and now some pilots are going to be smeared in the name of partisanship. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2006-09-22 22:31 |
| #4 49 Pan (It is rumored that he once navigated two Asian countries in the same night), Thought about that, but as you know this is the best war I fought yet!!! |
| Posted by: Joe of the Jungle 2006-09-22 22:25 |
| #3 Heh, Joe. :-> "provide an urgent statement" And say what? That the people there on the scene are wrong? There's no reason a Harrier can't pinpoint who's who and deliver fire on the bad guys. If a Warthog can do it, then the Harrier certainly can. The problem must be with the pilots - the hardware's already capable. And armed forces are for fighting guys, you know, that violence stuff. The politicians should be asking the troops what's what, not running around trying to put band-aids on issues by refuting those who know and making pointless statements. If some RAF pilots are shirking, then rotate the bad ones out and discharge them. There are plenty of good guys who will step forward. |
| Posted by: Craick Whinetle9127 2006-09-22 22:15 |
| #2 Joe of the Jungle, You need some time away from work. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2006-09-22 21:59 |
| #1 "they prefer to call in American A-10 Tankbusters" Something strange, in your neighbourhood Who you going to call? Muhammadbusters! Something Weird and it don't look good Who you going to call Muhammadbusters! I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. You seeing things running through your head Who you going to call? Muhammadbusters! An invisible man running through your head Who you going to call? Muhammadbusters! I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. Who you going to call Muhammadbusters! If your all alone, Pick up the phone and call Muhammadbusters! I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. I hear it likes the girls. I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Who you going to call? Muhammadbusters! You have Muhammad, freaky Muhammads. You'd better call, Muhammadbusters! Let me tell you, Bustin' makes feel good I ain't afraid of no Muhammad. I ain't afraid of no Muhammad Don't get caught alone, oh no Muhammadbusters! When it comes through your door, Unless you just want some more, I'd think you'd better call, Muhammadbusters! Who you going to call? Muhammadbusters! |
| Posted by: Joe of the Jungle 2006-09-22 21:35 |