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Hercules inquest hears radio call Hercules inquest hears radio call
(about 7 hours later)
The last desperate radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq has been heard at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board. The last desperate radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq has been read out at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board.
Lance Corporal Steven Jones radioed: "We are on fire, we are on fire," before all communication was lost.Lance Corporal Steven Jones radioed: "We are on fire, we are on fire," before all communication was lost.
The plane came down after a fuel tank was hit by enemy gunfire and exploded, blowing one of the wings off.The plane came down after a fuel tank was hit by enemy gunfire and exploded, blowing one of the wings off.
At the time, in January 2005, it was the biggest single loss of life among British forces in the Iraq campaign.At the time, in January 2005, it was the biggest single loss of life among British forces in the Iraq campaign.
Giving his opening address, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters, said: "This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War."Giving his opening address, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters, said: "This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War."
No foamNo foam
The C-130K transporter aircraft was shot down between Baghdad and nearby Balad air base at 1.30pm on January 30, 2005.The C-130K transporter aircraft was shot down between Baghdad and nearby Balad air base at 1.30pm on January 30, 2005.
Explosive-suppressant foam, (ESF) which prevents fuel tanks exploding if they are hit, was not fitted to the plane. US Air Force Hercules have had ESF since the 1960s. Australian Air Forces Hercules have had it fitted retrospectively.Explosive-suppressant foam, (ESF) which prevents fuel tanks exploding if they are hit, was not fitted to the plane. US Air Force Hercules have had ESF since the 1960s. Australian Air Forces Hercules have had it fitted retrospectively.
Speaking at Trowbridge Town Hall, Mr Masters said: "The question is whether the 10 personnel may have survived if their aircraft had been fitted with ESF.Speaking at Trowbridge Town Hall, Mr Masters said: "The question is whether the 10 personnel may have survived if their aircraft had been fitted with ESF.
"It is a question we will seek to address.""It is a question we will seek to address."
'Full, frank, fearless''Full, frank, fearless'
The inquest will examine why the Hercules was flying at low level in daylight and why a report by US helicopter crews of a small arms fire ambush in the same area, earlier that day was not mentioned to the crew.The inquest will examine why the Hercules was flying at low level in daylight and why a report by US helicopter crews of a small arms fire ambush in the same area, earlier that day was not mentioned to the crew.
Last month the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a High Court challenge which would have the effect of limiting coroners' freedom to make comments in respect of Ministry of Defence conduct which could be seen to be apportioning civil liability.Last month the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a High Court challenge which would have the effect of limiting coroners' freedom to make comments in respect of Ministry of Defence conduct which could be seen to be apportioning civil liability.
But Mr Masters told the families of the victims that he would hold a "full, frank, and fearless inquiry".But Mr Masters told the families of the victims that he would hold a "full, frank, and fearless inquiry".
He said that although some evidence will be heard privately, the inquest would be "as transparent and open as possible".He said that although some evidence will be heard privately, the inquest would be "as transparent and open as possible".
'Travesty' of lost lives'Travesty' of lost lives
Sarah Chapman, sister of Sergeant Robert O'Connor, who died, has accused the MoD of not fitting ESF to the 45-strong fleet of RAF Hercules on cost grounds - £600,000 per craft for a retrospective fit.Sarah Chapman, sister of Sergeant Robert O'Connor, who died, has accused the MoD of not fitting ESF to the 45-strong fleet of RAF Hercules on cost grounds - £600,000 per craft for a retrospective fit.
Ahead of the hearing, she called it a "travesty" that people had to lose their lives before action was taken.Ahead of the hearing, she called it a "travesty" that people had to lose their lives before action was taken.
Following the crash, the MoD pledged to fit all RAF Hercules with ESF, and a spokesman said that between 20 and 30 planes now have the foam.Following the crash, the MoD pledged to fit all RAF Hercules with ESF, and a spokesman said that between 20 and 30 planes now have the foam.
All RAF Hercules currently flying "routinely" in Afghanistan and Iraq now have ESF, according to Jonathan Glasson, barrister for the MoD at the inquest.All RAF Hercules currently flying "routinely" in Afghanistan and Iraq now have ESF, according to Jonathan Glasson, barrister for the MoD at the inquest.
The victims, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, were: pilot Flt Lt David Stead, 35, of the RAF 47 Squadron; co-pilot Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25; Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34; Australian navigator, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35; avionics specialist Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, from Lyneham's Engineering Wing; a survival equipment fitter, Corporal David Williams, 37 ; and engineering technician Sergeant Robert O'Connor, 38.The victims, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, were: pilot Flt Lt David Stead, 35, of the RAF 47 Squadron; co-pilot Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25; Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34; Australian navigator, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35; avionics specialist Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, from Lyneham's Engineering Wing; a survival equipment fitter, Corporal David Williams, 37 ; and engineering technician Sergeant Robert O'Connor, 38.
Also on board was Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, from Strike Command Headquarters, RAF High Wycombe.Also on board was Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, from Strike Command Headquarters, RAF High Wycombe.
Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, of Fareham, Hampshire, a Royal Signals soldier, was a passenger on the Hercules.Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, of Fareham, Hampshire, a Royal Signals soldier, was a passenger on the Hercules.