MoD covered up truth about Hercules (Iraq insurgents planted bombs on runway)

[Barrett808]

Source: Ananova

The Ministry of Defence covered up the full truth about the destruction of an RAF Hercules aircraft by Iraqi insurgents to stop the enemy claiming a high-profile propaganda victory, a new report discloses.

The C-130J transport aircraft was struck by two bombs planted by militants as it landed on a temporary runway in Maysan Province in south-eastern Iraq on February 12 last year.

All 64 people on board escaped to safety but the Hercules was so badly damaged it had to be destroyed by coalition explosives experts.

At the time the MoD said the aircraft had been involved in an "incident on landing", telling some journalists there were no immediate signs of enemy action.

But a formal Board of Inquiry report, published on the MoD's website, makes it clear that planted improvised explosive devices were suspected within an hour of the blasts.

Read more: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2858314.html?menu=news.topheadlines

[DS1]

1. No, they were planted on the runway

[Barrett808]

2. Oh geez, thanks for the correction -- fixed. n/t

[Xipe Totec]

3. The crew can thank Kelly Johnson for walking out of that alive

The awsomest aircraft designer ever.