RIP to the three hero's who died today and my support to one of our members who knew of one solider personally.

 

a sad Day indeed

Very sad, to lose someone when it is expected is hard enough, but to lose someone in these circumstances must be hell. Thinking of the families and friends of the heroes we lost today, and right through the wars.

very sad news, any soldier defending our country is a hero in my eyes and we should respect them unconditionaly

 

R.I.P to the fallen

Very sad for the families and friends of the guys who were killed and of course those who were wounded, but please just take a moment to spare a thought also for the guys who weren't injured but who had to deal with the incident and the effects of treating their muckers under those conditions.

Immediately they have to put all of this to the back of their minds and carry on with their jobs in a professional manner and see out the rest of their tour. Only when they're back home with their own friends and families will they be able to switch off and start to come to terms with it.

Shocking news, and deepest sympathy to their colleagues, family and friends. Worrying situation given the protection their vehicle was suppose to give them...!

It will be the hardest job i will ever be tasked with, and have to do in my many years in the forces, to play the pipes on the repatriation of my dear friend and colleauges, i have played at many funerals, but this will be tight to keep it together.

time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such brave and selfless hero's putting their lives on the line every minute of the day while on tour and protceting our and others rights and freedoms at the expense of their own mortality,

 

my heart goes out to those effected by this loss and the many others suffered in the past years

 

God speed to those still out there and rest in eternal peace for the fallen

 

my thoughts andprayers are with you,

 

kaza steve

Another sad story

 

Shocking news, and deepest sympathy to their colleagues, family and friends. Worrying situation given the protection their vehicle was suppose to give them...!

 

Don't believe what is written in the papers when it comes to the protection that mastiff gives. The media are not experts on the topic and are always way off the mark with the only target being profits at the end if the day and will write whatever sells.

Edited May 2, 201312 yr by Gonzo12c

Another sad story

 

 

 

Don't believe what is written in the papers when it comes to the protection that mastiff gives. The media are not experts on the topic and are always way off the mark with the only target being profits at the end if the day and will write whatever sells.

 

 

 

and not detracting from the sadness of this incident or wishing to steer away from the threads intent but that ^^^^^ is a very true statement. I remember several years ago one of the patrol MV's (early Jackal's) struck a legacy Soviet mine whilst out on patrol and although the wheels were blown off and the vehicle was written destroyed the glacis plates did its job and fortunately the only injuries sustained were broken legs (vehicle commander) and the driver suffered concussion having been thrown 20 odd feet out of the vehicle along with the gunner, all survived however relatively unscathed.

 

Within a year a similar incident occured resulting in the death of both driver and commander as the device laid by the INS was effectively 3 bar mines stacked on top of one another.....that would have destroyed an MBT let alone a Jackal (which incidentally was cut in half)

 

The Mastiff offers fantastic protection and it is an absolute God send for movement from FOB to FOB but every single guy is under no illusion that nothing is invulnerable and a big enough device will destroy it. It may or may not have rolled and the guys may or may not have been strapped in and I'm sure the press will be very quick to report the specifics of the incident as and when they are made available to them. Remembering of course that the IED doesn't have to penetrate the armour for the guys inside to take the full force of the impact/over pressure.

 

Maybe a seperate thread would perhaps be appropriate if this aspect is to be discussed in more detail

Agreed, all respect is due to these guys risking their lives for our protection... and as far as I'm concerned they are underpaid.

Agreed, all respect is due to these guys risking their lives for our protection... and as far as I'm concerned they are underpaid.

 

Totally agree

 

My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible tragedy and i hope the rest of the guys n gals out there get home safe and sound whenever that may be.

RIP - it is a sad loss indeed; these brave men and women are out there fighting not just for our country, but for freedom and democracy. They certainly do us proud.

 

Richard:sad:

Another sad story

 

 

 

Don't believe what is written in the papers when it comes to the protection that mastiff gives. The media are not experts on the topic and are always way off the mark with the only target being profits at the end if the day and will write whatever sells.

 

 

I don't!... But merely reflecting my concern that the best the Army have available to them and significantly better than the jackal, could be targeted ( tragically ) so effectively by the Taliban.

 

Not looking to continue any debate political or otherwise on this thread.. Just wanted to show my sympathy to these unfortunate brave lads.

We have been flying over the sight a lot since and the hole in the ground is massive, around 5 feet deep and has blown the tarmac away on both sides of the road. The blast lifted the Mastiff and threw it about 30 feet away. There was a lot of explosive used, the vehicle can only cope with so much.

 

Its not nice when something like that happens out here, especially as its been a lot better in terms of deaths this year.

 

I will be going to the vigil service next week, least i can do.