Telegraph : RAF 'utterly useless' in Afghanistan says Major

RAF 'utterly useless' in Afghanistan says Major

Afghanistan casualties are 'under-reported'

September 22, 2006

Emails written by a British Army major serving in Afghanistan condemn the RAF as "utterly, utterly useless".

They also indicate that more helicopters and manpower are "desperately" needed for the operation to be successful.

The three emails, obtained by Sky News, were penned by an unnamed officer based with 3 Para in the troubled southern province of Helmand.

The major refers to the death of his colleague Cpl Bryan Budd in the Sangin area last month, and describes the soldiers' efforts to save him during an intense fire-fight.

They also outline concerns for two junior colleagues who "look very frightened and slow to react".

"There is a fine line between giving them time to accept what has happened and adjust, and gripping them hard and forcing them to focus," the officer adds.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence did not question the authenticity of the emails, saying they were a "moving and at times humbling account of fighting" in Helmand.

But he added: "It reflects both how intense the fighting can occasionally be, and the enormous courage, dedication and skill of the British troops operating there."

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, had already pointed out that British soldiers in the province were sometimes "working to the limits of endurance", the spokesman said.

He added: "The comments this Major makes about the RAF are, however, unfortunate.

"They do not reflect the view of the vast majority of soldiers about the Harrier Force in Afghanistan, which has consistently performed brilliantly in defending coalition forces, so much so that it is in regular demand not just from British commanders on the ground, but from our allies too.

"It must be remembered that this is the opinion of only one man. The general view is very different."

Captain Matt Taylor, 3 Para Operations Officer in Afghanistan, insisted in a statement released by the MoD that the RAF had "played a critical part in ensuring the security of the lads on the ground".

"They couldnt have asked for better support during some very difficult times," he added.