This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6963767.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'Friendly fire' UK soldiers named | 'Friendly fire' UK soldiers named |
(30 minutes later) | |
The three British soldiers killed by US "friendly fire" in southern Afghanistan have been officially named. | The three British soldiers killed by US "friendly fire" in southern Afghanistan have been officially named. |
Privates Aaron McClure, 19, Robert Foster, also 19, and John Thrumble, 21, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died on Thursday. | |
They had been on patrol in Helmand province when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb bomb killing them, and injuring two other soldiers. | They had been on patrol in Helmand province when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb bomb killing them, and injuring two other soldiers. |
The US State Department has begun an investigation into their deaths. | The US State Department has begun an investigation into their deaths. |
The soldiers had been taking part in a fighting patrol to disrupt Taleban activity to the north west of Kajaki, in Helmand province. | The soldiers had been taking part in a fighting patrol to disrupt Taleban activity to the north west of Kajaki, in Helmand province. |
They came under attack from Taleban insurgents and during the firefight that followed, close air support was called in from two US F15 aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said. | They came under attack from Taleban insurgents and during the firefight that followed, close air support was called in from two US F15 aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said. |
Colleagues and family members have been paying tribute to the three who lost their lives. | |
Pte Foster's family said: "To us, Robert was the most wonderful son; he was the life and soul of the party, and had a very loving and caring nature." | |
He had a rare quality of always seeing the bright side of any situation Lt-Col Carver, of Pte Foster | |
Stephen Thrumble, Pte Thrumble's father, said his family were very proud of him. | |
"John was well-known and well-loved by all that knew him," he said. | |
Pte McClure was "a bright, happy, handsome lad who would do anything for anyone", his family said. | |
Courage | |
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver described Pte Thrumble, who joined the army in 2004, as inspirational and "one of the mainstays" in the battalion. | |
"Proven in combat on countless occasions - his raw courage and ability to raise a smile were invaluable in these testing times," he said. | |
Of Pte Foster, Lt Col Carver said he had "seemingly limitless reserves of courage and strength of character way beyond his years". | |
We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure these things don't happen Des BrowneDefence secretary No easy fix for 'friendly fire' High risks on battleground Friendly fire progress 'slow' | We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure these things don't happen Des BrowneDefence secretary No easy fix for 'friendly fire' High risks on battleground Friendly fire progress 'slow' |
"He had a rare quality of always seeing the bright side of any situation and a mischievous sense of humour which made him hugely popular." | |
Pte McClure was, said Lt Col Carver, already a veteran of over 40 engagements with the enemy. | |
"Loyal, hard working and highly professional, he constantly surpassed the standards expected, and his loss is a bitter blow to the whole battalion." | |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "Although it appears that their deaths are the result of a tragic incident involving allied forces, it is important to remember that they died participating in an operation vital to the security of the British and Afghan people. | |
"The investigation which has now begun will be thorough and undertaken with the utmost urgency." | |
The three men were declared dead at the scene, while the two injured soldiers were taken by helicopter to the medical facility at Camp Bastion. | |
US saddened | |
Earlier Mr Browne said US air support was very important and had often helped get British troops out of dangerous situations. | |
"We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure these things don't happen but at the end of the day combat environments are very complex environments. Human error is always a possibility," he said. | "We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure these things don't happen but at the end of the day combat environments are very complex environments. Human error is always a possibility," he said. |
The US State Department's Kurt Volker said in a statement the US was "deeply saddened" by the death of the soldiers. | The US State Department's Kurt Volker said in a statement the US was "deeply saddened" by the death of the soldiers. |
Mr Volker, the US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, said it was a "tragic incident" which would be thoroughly investigated with British allies. | Mr Volker, the US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, said it was a "tragic incident" which would be thoroughly investigated with British allies. |
"We are committed to making information available as quickly as possible," he added. | "We are committed to making information available as quickly as possible," he added. |
BBC Kabul correspondent Alastair Leithead said the investigation would focus on the breakdown in communications between ground and air forces. | BBC Kabul correspondent Alastair Leithead said the investigation would focus on the breakdown in communications between ground and air forces. |
There has only been one other suspected case of British service personnel being killed by US friendly fire in Afghanistan, but it is still under investigation. | There has only been one other suspected case of British service personnel being killed by US friendly fire in Afghanistan, but it is still under investigation. |
An inquiry was launched in December 2006 into the death of marine Jonathan Wigley, 21, killed during an intense battle in Helmand province. | An inquiry was launched in December 2006 into the death of marine Jonathan Wigley, 21, killed during an intense battle in Helmand province. |
The three deaths on Thursday mean the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 73. Fifty have been killed in action. | The three deaths on Thursday mean the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 73. Fifty have been killed in action. |
The Royal Anglians have been one of the regiments hardest hit by the fighting in Afghanistan - nine of its soldiers have been killed. | The Royal Anglians have been one of the regiments hardest hit by the fighting in Afghanistan - nine of its soldiers have been killed. |
The regiment recruits mainly from the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. | The regiment recruits mainly from the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. |