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| Army chief backs RAF Afghan role | Army chief backs RAF Afghan role |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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". | 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". | 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. | 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. |
| 'No doubt of value' | 'No doubt of value' |
| "Irresponsible comments, based on a snapshot, are regrettable," he added. | "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. | 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. | He is based in the north of the southern province of Helmand. |
| As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey | As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey |
| His e-mail also gave an example of the RAF's failure to provide air support. | 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 phosphorus 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." | 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". | 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." | "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. | 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. |
| 'Assessment needed' | 'Assessment needed' |
| Some were "working to the limits of endurance, but their morale is high and they are winning the fight", he added. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY As an ex-serviceman it comes as no surprise to me that the RAF is lambasted this way Mark Neve Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY As an ex-serviceman it comes as no surprise to me that the RAF is lambasted this way Mark Neve Send us your comments |
| 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. | 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". | 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. | 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." | "As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead." |