Major reveals faults in Afghan mission

[CHIMO]

British forces in Afghanistan are exhausted and need more helicopters to fight the Taliban, according to a leaked email from a middle-ranking officer serving in the country.

The email, from a major serving in the Sangin area of northern Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, described the Royal Air Force as "utterly, utterly useless" and underlined that more soldiers and equipment were needed "desperately," Britain's Sky News reported.

The Guardian newspaper said the email was sent by Major James Loden of 3 Para, who was awarded the Bronze Star medal in 2004 by the US military for his services in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Major Loden heavily criticises Harrier Force, the British air force in Afghanistan, for failing to support ground troops and describes one incident where a Harrier fighter bomber dropped phosphorus rockets near British soldiers.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A37A2EBA-4DF1-48C3-B454-E3E4BE886483.htm