1.

The board recommends that command relationships are clearly articulated in operational orders and that the whole chain of command is clearly briefed as to whom it reports to and who tasks it.

Closed.

Summary. A review of command relationships training conducted during individual training courses was undertaken in 2004. As a result of this review, it was recommended that a further review of training objectives was to be conducted in conjunction with arm and service directors to ensure that training objectives are included in appropriate phase 2 and 3 courses for both TA and regular officers and soldiers, where training is not already delivered.

2.

The board recommends that any operations room operating in this sort of environment adopts a uniform booking out system. It further recommends that the system be checked on a regular basis to ensure that all attached units are complying and that an all informed patrol matrix is being maintained.

Closed.

Summary. A review of operations room procedures training conducted during individual training courses was undertaken in 2004. As a result of this review, it was recommended that a further review of training objectives was to be conducted in conjunction with arm and service directors to ensure that training objectives are included in appropriate phase 2 and 3 courses for both TA and regular officers and soldiers, where training is not already delivered.

3.

The board recommends that watchkeepers are trained in maintaining a log and that it is made clear to them that logs could potentially become an exhibit in legal proceedings.

Closed.

Summary. A review of watchkeeping skills training conducted during individual training courses was undertaken in 2004. As a result of this review, it was recommended that a further review of training objectives was to be conducted in conjunction with arm and service directors to ensure that training objectives are included in appropriate phase 2 and 3 courses for both TA and regular officers and soldiers, where training is not already delivered.

The specific requirements for maintenance, accuracy and retention of the log are to appear as a reminder on the cover of the log sheet (Army form B58).

4.

The board recommends that a review be conducted of Royal Military Police (RMP) officer training to ensure that its young officers are better trained to command small isolated detachments. Additionally, the board recommends that thought is given to the RMP carrying out more infantry training, specifically focusing on infantry skills.

Closed.

Summary. Provost Marshal (Army) review of operational performance standards for Military Police Officers Course (MPOC) and RMP Company Commander’s Course (CCC) has taken place. Adjutant-General Corps Training and Development Team has amended training objectives for both courses to include the management of command and control relationships at the appropriate level, when operating both integral to and detached from RMP units. Training has been delivered to MPOC from April 2005 and RMP CCC from September 2005. The recommendation for RMP to carry out additional infantry training was not agreed as there is no indication that any shortfall in infantry training had any bearing on the outcome of this incident. Training of the RMP must reflect the functional requirement and be based upon policing and associated skills within an all arms environment.

5.

The board strongly recommends that a detailed communications estimate is carried out on entering theatre, which is then regularly updated. Additionally, urgent operational requirement (UOR) funds should be made available to purchase additional, off-the-shelf communications assets as required.

Closed.

Summary. Theatre communications estimates are carried out in all cases and reviewed at regular intervals. The type and number of communications systems available in theatre has increased significantly, heavily utilising the UOR process. Additions include: 210 Thuraya Sat phones, improved and extended coalition secure tactical network and improved coverage of Iraqi mobile phone network.

In addition the Army is currently in the process of totally overhauling its communications equipment as part of the Bowman project (providing an increase in reliability and availability of communications assets).

Theatre standard operating procedures have been revised to ensure that all patrols deploy with a minimum of two separate forms of communications, in two separate vehicles, to allow for redundancy (this policy also applies to Afghanistan)

6.

The board recommends an assessment be carried out as to the suitability for the RMP to train and operate the general purpose machine gun (GPMG).

Closed.

Summary. GPMGs have been added to the equipment table of RMP units for the purposes of self-protection at a scaling of five per regiment and three per independent company, to provide for local area protection.

Note: There was no evidence to suggest that a lack of firepower had any bearing on the outcome of this incident, and the chain of command expressed concerns that the issue of heavy weapons would detract from the ability of the RMP to conduct its primary function. No further staff action was taken regarding the recommendation for training.

7.

All personnel issued with grenades must be trained in their operating procedures before issue.

Closed.

It is mandatory that soldiers complete all basic lessons and weapon-handling tests (WHT) before any live firing/throwing of weapons takes place. Appropriate reminders are to be periodically issued to the chain of command.

Note: The board had raised concerns that grenades were issued to the RMP without appropriate training, but it should be noted that within the context of this operation, grenades had been withdrawn from the whole battlegroup on the basis that they were no longer appropriate. There was therefore no suggestion that the lack of grenades had any direct bearing on the outcome of this incident.

8.

The scaling of ammunition should be set at battlegroup (BG) level and individual detachment commanders should not be able to dictate ammunition holdings.

Closed

The PJHQ has reviewed current policy for the scaling of ammunition for operational theatres and has confirmed that extant procedures for calculating overall scales using A606 procedures should remain. Minimum scales for individual weapons are to be set at BG level to ensure consistency throughout the area of responsibility and individual detachment commanders are not to be allowed to reduce holdings below this level.

9.

The board recommends that morphine is made available to soldiers operating in potentially hostile environments.

Closed.

Morphine is available to all personnel operating in all potentially hostile environments, as long as there are no contraindications to its use. The actual decision as to whether to issue it in any given situation is a tactical one, based on an adequate risk assessment and is an executive rather than a medical one.

Note: The board had concluded that morphine was available if it had been asked for. Concerns over misuse, which is not supported by any evidence provided to the board, or the risk of disciplinary action if lost was not considered germane to the board’s proceedings. The policy for accounting for controlled drugs already existed when this recommendation was made.

10.

The board recommends that, where practical, consideration be given to providing an officer from Army Legal Services as a BOI member.

Closed.

The advantage of having an Army Legal Services officer as either the president or a member of a board of inquiry had already been recognised and was reflected in standing orders at the time the recommendation was made.

11.

HQ LAND gives direction on the outstanding disciplinary issues which should be resolved before the findings are exposed to the families.

Closed.

Disciplinary action had been ruled out prior to the release of the board of inquiry report to the families of the six RMP.

12.

Any meeting between the families and MoD representatives are carefully orchestrated, with terms of reference agreed in advance.

Closed

Procedures already exist to handle all such meetings with sensitivity.