RAF crash victims named
The Nimrod MR2 transport plane appears to have developed a technical fault
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Sunday, 03, Sep 2006 09:35
The Ministry of Defence has named the 14 servicemen who died in yesterday's RAF plane crash in Afghanistan.
The Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed near the city of Kandahar yesterday at 16:00 local time (13:30 BST) following reports of a technical problem.
Fl Lts Steven Johnson, Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore, Gareth Rodney Nicholas, Allan James Squires and Steven Swarbrick, FS' Gary Wayne Andrews, Stephen Beattie, Gerard Martin Bell and Adrian Davies, Sgts Benjamin James Knight, John Joseph Langton and Gary Paul Quilliam were the 12 RAF personnel who died.
The Marine who died was Joseph David Windall and the army fatality was Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts of the Parachute Regiment.
Initial investigation reports claim that the technical fault was behind the crash, with defence secretary Des Browne quick to dismiss Taleban claims.
"The Taliban regularly make claims which we know to be untrue and I think in this case, this is instructive of the nature of their dishonesty," he said. "I can confirm that the indications both before the crash and since suggest that this has been a dreadful, tragic accident."
At a press conference this morning, senior officers from RAF Kinloss where the Nimrod MR2 fleet was based described the nature of their loss.
"They were hardworking, professional guys, doing an important job which they were committed to, which they enjoyed," said Wing Commander Martin Cannard.
"They were good friends; their families were good friends to many of us; many I'd known for a number of years, some I'd known more recently. I can say no more really; they were great guys," he said.
Chris Birks, group captain, explained that the Nimrod MR2 fleet had not been grounded, as speculation had suggested might have been the case. Instead an investigation is currently underway into the cause of the crash.
A final decision is yet to be made on the safety of the Nimrod MR2 fleet, with the RAF likely to make a final decision before normal flights resume tomorrow. The "considered judgement" will affect every Nimrod in service with the UK military, both in Britain and in Afghanistan.
"A board of inquiry has been convened to determine the cause of this tragic loss," Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said as the names of the dead servicemen were released.
The deaths almost equal the total number of British fatalities in Afghanistan since UK troops were deployed in the troubled Helmand province. Six men were killed in August as Taliban-backed insurgent fighting intensified, while Ranger Anare Draiva died on Friday in the Helmand province.
"This is dreadful and shocking news. I know that the people of Britain will join me in sending our deep condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and to the British military as it deals with the loss of friends and comrades," Mr Browne said yesterday following the crash.