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'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 James McClure, Robert Graham Foster and John Thrumble, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died on Thursday. 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'
The three soldiers were declared dead at the scene, while the injured two were taken by helicopter to the medical facility at Camp Bastion. "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."
Defence Secretary Des Browne said US air support was very important and had often helped get British troops out of dangerous situations. 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.
'US saddened'
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.
He said there was no single system that coordinates the air-to-ground cover technologies used by all the nations that make up the Nato force in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the US Embassy in London said : "The United States expresses its deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the soldiers who died and we wish those who were injured a speedy recovery."
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.