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RAF safety request 'was refused' RAF safety request 'was refused'
(about 5 hours later)
An ex-Royal Air Force squadron leader has told the BBC how he warned bosses that Hercules aircraft not fitted with anti-explosive foam were at risk. An ex-Royal Air Force squadron leader says he warned bosses that Hercules aircraft not fitted with anti-explosive foam were at risk.
In 2005, a Hercules was shot down in Iraq killing 10 servicemen, and an inquiry said the lack of the foam in fuel tanks may have been to blame.In 2005, a Hercules was shot down in Iraq killing 10 servicemen, and an inquiry said the lack of the foam in fuel tanks may have been to blame.
Sqn Ldr Chris Seal said he requested in 2002 that explosive suppressant foam (ESF) be added to the fleet. Sqn Ldr Chris Seal told the BBC he asked in 2002 for explosive suppressant foam (ESF) to be added to the fleet.
It is not known whether his request ever reached the Ministry of Defence.It is not known whether his request ever reached the Ministry of Defence.
He added that he believed the refusal of his plea had been "down to cost".He added that he believed the refusal of his plea had been "down to cost".
'Not enough''Not enough'
ESF has been fitted in all US planes since 1967.ESF has been fitted in all US planes since 1967.
An MoD spokesman has already said the programme to fit ESF will be completed by the end of this year.An MoD spokesman has already said the programme to fit ESF will be completed by the end of this year.
In 2002, Sqn Ldr Seal was the detachment commander based in Oman during the Afghanistan conflict.In 2002, Sqn Ldr Seal was the detachment commander based in Oman during the Afghanistan conflict.
See how the foam works See how the foam works
In an interview with BBC radio's Today Programme, he criticised the MoD after it emerged on Wednesday that only seven out of a fleet of 48 Hercules have been fitted with the foam. He welcomed moves to update the fleet, but criticised the MoD after it emerged on Wednesday that only seven out of 48 Hercules had actually been fitted.
"To my mind that is not enough and it should be done quicker," he said. "I am content that something is happening, and I am also aware of the operational limitations, because those aeroplanes are still required for tasks in theatre upon which troops on the ground are desperately waiting," he told the BBC.
"Give the guys the tools to do the job - they'll do it, but don't sell them down the river." But he added: "To my mind that is not enough, and it should have been done quicker.
"Give the guys the tools to do the job. They'll do it. But don't sell 'em down the river."
He believes his request was sent up the RAF chain of command, but it is not known whether it ever reached the MoD.He believes his request was sent up the RAF chain of command, but it is not known whether it ever reached the MoD.
Sqn Ldr Seal described how in October or November of 2002 year he sent an "urgent" request for ESF, which prevents fuel tanks exploding if hit by ground fire, after a presentation by a US officer.Sqn Ldr Seal described how in October or November of 2002 year he sent an "urgent" request for ESF, which prevents fuel tanks exploding if hit by ground fire, after a presentation by a US officer.
"He showed us the video that showed the effects of a bullet hitting the fuel tanks with foam and without foam," he said."He showed us the video that showed the effects of a bullet hitting the fuel tanks with foam and without foam," he said.
"You could almost hear the jaws drop and hit the floor as we saw that."You could almost hear the jaws drop and hit the floor as we saw that.
"I was in the process of identifying the lessons to be learnt from our operations so far for our main squadron - and as a result I included fire suppressant foam as a requirement.""I was in the process of identifying the lessons to be learnt from our operations so far for our main squadron - and as a result I included fire suppressant foam as a requirement."
'Driving force''Driving force'
He claims that this and previous attempts to alert superior officers to the risks faced by aircraft and crews brought his RAF career to an end.He claims that this and previous attempts to alert superior officers to the risks faced by aircraft and crews brought his RAF career to an end.
He left in 2005.He left in 2005.
An RAF board of inquiry admitted that the lack of ESF may have contributed to the crash of Hercules 179 in 2005, which resulted in the single largest loss of life in the present Iraq conflict. An inquest into the deaths will be held later this year.An RAF board of inquiry admitted that the lack of ESF may have contributed to the crash of Hercules 179 in 2005, which resulted in the single largest loss of life in the present Iraq conflict. An inquest into the deaths will be held later this year.
Richard Stead, whose son Flt Lt David Stead, 35, died in the crash, has been lobbying to have the entire Hercules fleet fitted with ESF.Richard Stead, whose son Flt Lt David Stead, 35, died in the crash, has been lobbying to have the entire Hercules fleet fitted with ESF.
He said: "The driving force behind our campaign is that it is too late to protect our sons, but not too late for the protection of others who daily fly these aircraft in danger zones and throughout the world."He said: "The driving force behind our campaign is that it is too late to protect our sons, but not too late for the protection of others who daily fly these aircraft in danger zones and throughout the world."
The MoD has said the deaths of the 10 servicemen would not definitely have been prevented had explosive suppressant technology been fitted, but it announced in April 2006 that it had decided to fit it to some Hercules aircraft.The MoD has said the deaths of the 10 servicemen would not definitely have been prevented had explosive suppressant technology been fitted, but it announced in April 2006 that it had decided to fit it to some Hercules aircraft.
A spokesman said the Hercules C130K had an "excellent safety record" and that safety was a "primary concern."A spokesman said the Hercules C130K had an "excellent safety record" and that safety was a "primary concern."
EXPLOSIVE SUPPRESSANT FOAM SYSTEM 1. Without foam: Explosive mix of fuel vapour and air above liquid fuel ignites easily. Once this ignites, a compression wave pressurises the remaining gas, increasing the explosion.EXPLOSIVE SUPPRESSANT FOAM SYSTEM 1. Without foam: Explosive mix of fuel vapour and air above liquid fuel ignites easily. Once this ignites, a compression wave pressurises the remaining gas, increasing the explosion.
2. With foam: Foam expands to fill space in tank as fuel level drops. Vapour ignition is confined to the area close to spark, stopping explosion.2. With foam: Foam expands to fill space in tank as fuel level drops. Vapour ignition is confined to the area close to spark, stopping explosion.
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