RAF pilots use US rules for secret missions

Posted on: Jun. 26th, 2006 || Source: theherald.co.uk | E-mail Article | Print Article

RAF pilots conducting secret Predator "killer drone" missions against Iraqi and Afghan insurgents are operating under American rules of engagement, the Ministry of Defence has admitted.

A British team running remote-control sorties from a US air force base is understood to have engaged targets at least six times and inflicted casualties on suspected terrorists with Hellfire missile strikes.

Lord Drayson, under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence, confirmed that RAF servicemen embedded with US forces were also authorised "within limits" to use American rules on action which might result in innocent civilian casualties.
While UK rules of engagement – the instructions governing the use of potentially lethal force – are described as "robust", US troops have far more latitude in judging whether and when to open fire. Several high-ranking British officers in Iraq have already criticised US forces for being "trigger-happy".

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