SORT OUT HELICOPTER CRISIS SAYS DAVID HEATH
12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Jul 2009
Local MP David Heath, who represents Yeovilton where the Royal Navy helicopter squadrons and the Commando Helicopter Force are based, has called on the government to take urgent action to ensure that troops fighting in Afghanistan have the helicopter support they need.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he drew attention to the report published today by the Defence Select Committee, which is strongly critical of the lack of provision of helicopters, delays in ordering replacement aircraft, and lack of facilities for combat training. He called for government to address the shortcomings identified in the report and take urgent action over the summer to put things right.
David said:
"I consider it a great honour to represent Yeovilton, the base for many of the helicopters used in Afghanistan, and also many of the people working in the helicopter industry at Westland.
We owe it to the brave young men & women we send to fight in a very dangerous conflict area to make sure they have the equipment they need, and that includes having sufficient helicopters to do the job properly and ensure the safety of both pilots and aircrew and troops on the ground.
Very often combat pilots are operating equipment in a theatre of war which they have had no training on back at home,. That cannot be right. Nor can the fact that there are huge needs for replacement aircraft that are not yet on order.
The committee has identified some very real gaps; it is the job of ministers to now take the decisions urgently to put those problems right."
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