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Army chief backs RAF Afghan role Army chief backs RAF Afghan role
(about 4 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. An e-mail criticising the RAF's work in Afghanistan was "irresponsible", the head of the British Army has said.
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 said it was "unfortunate" that the comments made by a major in the Parachute Regiment had been made public.
Major James Loden, of 3 Para, based in Helmand, said more help was needed. Major James Loden, of 3 Para, based in Helmand, had described the RAF as "utterly, utterly useless."
Gen Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, called the comments "irresponsible" and "regrettable". Gen Dannatt also admitted he was unsure how many soldiers had been wounded in Afghanistan since the conflict began.
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 was responding to comments made by a senior officer who suggested the British army is sustaining higher casualties in Afghanistan than official figures indicate.
'No doubt of value' Gen Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, told the BBC that while the figures were "well known" at the Ministry of Defence, he had asked to be personally updated by early next week.
"Irresponsible comments, based on a snapshot, are regrettable," he added. 'Huge respect'
Speaking about Maj Loden's email, Gen Dannatt said everyone in the operation in Helmand was doing a "fantastic job".
"A lot of brave young men and women in both the British Army and the Royal Air Force - and some support from people from the Navy - are doing a fantastic job in Afghanistan, and in Helmand province in particular. And they're a team.
UK troops in Afghanistan are coming under sustained attack
"I've got huge respect for all of them... It's difficult, dangerous work and I think it's unfortunate that one e-mail that is about four or five weeks old has now surfaced.
"The media's had knowledge of this for quite a while. The Chief of the Air Staff and I discussed it quite a while ago."
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.
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."... 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."
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.
'Assessment needed'
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.
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 commentsHAVE 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. On Friday, an MoD spokesman said Maj Loden's comments about the RAF "do not reflect the view of the vast majority of soldiers".
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey called on the government to "provide an urgent statement" in response to Maj Loden's "disturbing comments". The "tears" Maj Loden referred to were "not tears of exhaustion or frustration", he 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. "This is a reflection of the fact these men are under daily attack and sadly there are often daily casualties."
"As our troops face increasing violence, we need to see a clear and achievable strategy and an honest assessment of the challenges ahead." On Thursday it emerged that Major John Swift, a commander in Afghanistan, had raised concerns in an internal army newsletter that casualty numbers in Afghanistan were very significant and showing no signs of reducing.
He claimed that soldiers were often patched up and sent back out to fight without the injury being recorded.
Gen Dannett said that if incorrect casualty details had been made public it would be due to the "confused and difficult" situation.
He added that there was "nothing to hide" and figures would be rectified if needed.
"Everyone who is a casualty - whether killed or wounded - is a personal tragedy," he said.