Missile shoots British Jet down?

Nickatilynx · 01-31-2005

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=7487969

LONDON (Reuters) - An Arabic television channel aired a videotape Monday purporting to show insurgents firing a missile that downed a British transport plane in Iraq, and London said 10 people were missing, believed dead.

The video, issued by the 1920 Revolution Brigades, showed a mid-air explosion at a distance then burning debris of what looked like a plane, including an engine, on the ground and filmed at close range in a large field.

Leading Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera said it had received a copy of the tape from the group, which has claimed responsibility for some attacks and kidnappings in the past.

The group, whose name refers to Iraq's fight against British rule, has often released videos of attacks on U.S. troops on the leading Arabic broadcaster.

Confirming Britain's biggest loss of life since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said nine Royal Air Force personnel and one soldier were "missing, believed killed" in Sunday's election day crash.

He said he was aware of reports the plane may have been shot down but added: "We are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete."

Hoon said American and British forces have secured the crash site, are now recovering the bodies and attempting to determine what caused the giant plane to plunge into the desert.

Among the victims was Australia's first casualty of the Iraq war -- a former Australia Air Force member who had joined Britain's Royal Air Force.

"It could very well be hostile action," said parliamentary defense adviser Air Vice Marshal Tony Mason.

The Hercules, widely considered the most secure and reliable "workhorse" plane used by British forces, could have been the target of a heat-seeking ground-to-air missile or a "very, very lucky shot" from small arms fire, he said.

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01-31-2005	#1
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=7487969 LONDON (Reuters) - An Arabic television channel aired a videotape Monday purporting to show insurgents firing a missile that downed a British transport plane in Iraq, and London said 10 people were missing, believed dead. The video, issued by the 1920 Revolution Brigades, showed a mid-air explosion at a distance then burning debris of what looked like a plane, including an engine, on the ground and filmed at close range in a large field. Leading Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera said it had received a copy of the tape from the group, which has claimed responsibility for some attacks and kidnappings in the past. The group, whose name refers to Iraq's fight against British rule, has often released videos of attacks on U.S. troops on the leading Arabic broadcaster. Confirming Britain's biggest loss of life since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said nine Royal Air Force personnel and one soldier were "missing, believed killed" in Sunday's election day crash. He said he was aware of reports the plane may have been shot down but added: "We are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete." Hoon said American and British forces have secured the crash site, are now recovering the bodies and attempting to determine what caused the giant plane to plunge into the desert. Among the victims was Australia's first casualty of the Iraq war -- a former Australia Air Force member who had joined Britain's Royal Air Force. "It could very well be hostile action," said parliamentary defense adviser Air Vice Marshal Tony Mason. The Hercules, widely considered the most secure and reliable "workhorse" plane used by British forces, could have been the target of a heat-seeking ground-to-air missile or a "very, very lucky shot" from small arms fire, he said.