A shortage of metal detectors played no part in the deaths of two servicemen in Afghanistan as the anti-tank mine they hit was made of plastic, a coroner said on Wednesday.
Gary Thompson, 51, and Graham Livingstone, 23, Senior Aircraftmen (SACs) in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, died in a roadside explosion while returning to Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan.
At the time, the patrol had only one Ebex metal detector between six vehicles, meaning a vulnerable river crossing was not exhaustively scanned for IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).
But, summing up the case on Wednesday, Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner David Masters said: "The IED would have been unlikely to be detected by the use of the Ebex had Barma drills (scanning for mines) been implemented in full on either or both of these crossings due to the minimal metal content and reduced performance of the Ebex as distinct from a Vallon (a more effective metal detector in modern use)."
At Trowbridge Town Hall, Mr Masters recorded verdicts of unlawful killing in the case of both men, ruling that they were killed by an unknown insurgent. The deaths are being treated as murder and the Taliban responsible will be tried if caught.
SAC Thompson, from Sherwood, Nottingham, became the oldest serviceman to die in the conflict when the device detonated on April 13 last year. SAC Livingstone, from Glasgow, was also killed in the blast, which injured two other men.
The explosion occurred as the convoy was crossing back over the shallow river, having regrouped from performing split missions.
Reacting to the verdict, Air Commodore Steven Abbott said: "The coroner's verdict recognises and reinforces the actions that have already been implemented as a result of the Service Board of Enquiry.
"The RAF Regiment now has the improved Vallon hand-held mine detector for operations in Afghanistan, training to counter the use of IEDs has been improved and the regiment has access to a range of vehicles in which to conduct operations, all of which offer enhanced blast protection."
He also paid tribute to the "professionalism and commitment" of the two men.
Last updated: 11 November 2009, 19:47
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