Not Another One...RAF Puma Down in Iraq
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Torygraph: SAS men killed in Iraq as fourth Puma crashes
Two SAS soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq yesterday raising safety questions over the RAF’s four decade old fleet of aircraft. The two troopers died after the Puma troop transporter went down in an urban area during a covert mission over Baghdad.
The soldiers were part of an anti-terrorist mission flying low over the city at night.
Two other men from 22 Special Air Service Regiment were seriously injured in the crash although their condition is not thought to be life threatening. A further seven SAS and three RAF survived the impact and were later rescued by Coalition forces.........
Two SAS soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq yesterday raising safety questions over the RAF’s four decade old fleet of aircraft. The two troopers died after the Puma troop transporter went down in an urban area during a covert mission over Baghdad.
The soldiers were part of an anti-terrorist mission flying low over the city at night.
Two other men from 22 Special Air Service Regiment were seriously injured in the crash although their condition is not thought to be life threatening. A further seven SAS and three RAF survived the impact and were later rescued by Coalition forces.........
Red On, Green On
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Two more names for the clock - inscribed below it is this:
We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea...
We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea...
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condolences from Yeovil
as might be expected every time we hear a UK helo down those of us in the West country get worried
RIP chaps you are remembered and every one else get well soon
DM
RIP chaps you are remembered and every one else get well soon
DM
Rest in Peace lads. You manned the line for us all. Deepest condolences to your loved ones. May those who are injured get well soon.
Chug
Chug
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Independent: Helicopter tragedy in Iraq raises fresh concern over RAF training
Military experts have expressed grave concerns over the training of helicopter pilots after the RAF lost its fourth Puma aircraft this year in a crash last week in Iraq.
The crash claimed the lives of two SAS servicemen. The Ministry of Defence said yesterday it would not be naming the men. An investigation is under way but The Independent on Sunday understands an early theory is that the helicopter crashed shortly after successfully evading fire.
Two machines collided in April north of Baghdad and another crashed during a training exercise in Catterick, North Yorkshire, in August, killing three. In July 2004, a Puma crashed while trying to land at Basra airport, killing the pilot.
Pumas entered service in 1971 and are described as "workhorses" used for ferrying troops and equipment and for low-flying, high-speed special forces missions. Operating in difficult desert conditions, they require regular servicing. At the end of October, Des Browne, the Secretary of State for Defence, admitted that one in three Pumas were not "fit for purpose".
Military sources have told the IoS that pilots are being provided with insufficient training.
One said: "The age of the aircraft doesn't matter. The basic aircraft is great. Soldiers love it because it has doors on both sides. It's a good solid workhorse. The issue, however, is training and the number of flying hours pilots have before being sent to Iraq."
An inquest into the death of Flt Lt Kristian Gover, who died in Basra in 2004, concluded that inadequate training was a key factor. The coroner, Andrew Walker, said: "The training of the crew was insufficient."
Comments on RAF online message boards later supported that view.
Military experts have expressed grave concerns over the training of helicopter pilots after the RAF lost its fourth Puma aircraft this year in a crash last week in Iraq.
The crash claimed the lives of two SAS servicemen. The Ministry of Defence said yesterday it would not be naming the men. An investigation is under way but The Independent on Sunday understands an early theory is that the helicopter crashed shortly after successfully evading fire.
Two machines collided in April north of Baghdad and another crashed during a training exercise in Catterick, North Yorkshire, in August, killing three. In July 2004, a Puma crashed while trying to land at Basra airport, killing the pilot.
Pumas entered service in 1971 and are described as "workhorses" used for ferrying troops and equipment and for low-flying, high-speed special forces missions. Operating in difficult desert conditions, they require regular servicing. At the end of October, Des Browne, the Secretary of State for Defence, admitted that one in three Pumas were not "fit for purpose".
Military sources have told the IoS that pilots are being provided with insufficient training.
One said: "The age of the aircraft doesn't matter. The basic aircraft is great. Soldiers love it because it has doors on both sides. It's a good solid workhorse. The issue, however, is training and the number of flying hours pilots have before being sent to Iraq."
An inquest into the death of Flt Lt Kristian Gover, who died in Basra in 2004, concluded that inadequate training was a key factor. The coroner, Andrew Walker, said: "The training of the crew was insufficient."
Comments on RAF online message boards later supported that view.