Written question asked by Lord Garden (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Friday, 20 January 2006.

RAF: Hercules XV179

Question: What further action has been taken to investigate whether the advice of 2 June 2004 about tactics, subsequently adopted by the crew of RAF Hercules XV179 on 30 January 2005 (paragraph 46 of the Board of Inquiry report), was soundly based.

Answer: Tactical advice is kept under constant review; that which was contained in the letter of 2 June 2004 was based on operational experience and thorough assessment of the prevailing threats and was considered valid at the time of this incident. The crew of XV179 drew on this, and other sources of advice, in determining their tactics on the day of the crash. Review of the advice contained in the 2 June 2004 letter following the crash has confirmed that it remains valid, subject to sharper definition of the balance of risk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3243; 677 c139WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Accidents Iraq Peacekeeping operations Military aircraft Hercules aircraft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk