U.K. air controller could be charged in bombing deaths

[unhappycamper]

U.K. air controller could be charged in bombing deaths
By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, October 23, 2008

RAF MILDENHALL, England — A British soldier could face court-martial for allegedly relaying the wrong coordinates to a U.S. fighter jet in Afghanistan that led to the bombing of a British position and three soldiers’ deaths last year.

Citing privacy laws, British Ministry of Defence representatives would not identify the soldier, who potentially could be charged with failing to perform his duty. British Pvts. Aaron McClure and Robert Foster, both 19, and John Thrumble, 21, were killed Aug. 23, 2007, in Helmand province when a 500-pound bomb was mistakenly dropped on their position during a firefight.

After its investigation found the soldier to be responsible for the errant bombing, the MOD handed the findings and recommendations to the Army Prosecuting Authority this summer, spokesman Paul Starbrook said this week.

"They will decide which charges if any this guy could face," Starbrook said.

The case is unprecedented, Starbrook said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58321