News
Inquest into deaths of Privates Aaron McClure, Robert Foster and John Trumble blown up by friendly forces bomb whilst serving in Afghanistan
28 April 2010
The Assistant Coroner for Wiltshire, Mr David Masters, has returned a Narrative Verdict in relation to the deaths of Privates Aaron McClure, 19, Robert Foster, 19 and John Thrumble, 21. All three were serving with 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment in Afghanistan when they were killed after being blown up by a 500lb bomb dropped by a friendly forces American F-15 Fighter.
Paul Kilcoyne was instructed to act on behalf of all the families by Hilary Meredith Solicitors.
The Inquest heard how a failure by the MOD to provide a head set to the Forward Air Controller, Sgt Perren, could have contributed to confusion over the correct co-ordinates for the bomb drop and the position of friendly forces. Sgt Perren was responsible for communicating on the ground with the US aircrew. He used a hand-set to do this in noisy battle field conditions. He did not hear the target co-ordinates being read.
The Coroner stated:
"Sgt Perren had been under huge pressure. What he didn't have was a head-set for his Harris radio. Was one available to him? No. Would he have wanted one? Yes he would".
The Inquest also heard how the US aircrew had lost situational awareness and had doubts about dropping the bomb.
The Coroner exercised his powers under Rule 43 to report concerns to the Secretary of State for Defence requesting a review of current Army procedures and training in relation to Forward Air Controllers. He also wanted re-assurance that all Forward Air Controllers in Afghanistan had head sets available to them.
Following the Inquest the former Chief of the General staff, Sir Richard Dannatt said:
"In a perfect world he would have had the kind of head-set that is now issued routinely, but at that stage they weren't available. It was not acceptable but we have made progress "
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http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/mod+criticised+for+ampaposfriendly+fireampapos+afghan+attack/3628187