Mapp confirms missile scare

Documents leaked by WikiLeaks describe friendly fire incidents involving New Zealand defence forces in Afghanistan. Photo / Patrick Gower

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp yesterday confirmed he was on the flight deck of an RNZAF Hercules forced to take defensive action against a missile threat in Afghanistan last year in one of thousands of incidents revealed in top secret documents released by controversial website WikiLeaks.

Dr Mapp also indicated Foreign Minister Murray McCully's aircraft took defensive action against potential missile strike during his recent visit to the war torn country.

He has now asked defence chiefs for a report on previously undisclosed incidents involving New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan revealed in the documents.

On Sunday WikiLeaks released 90,000 military records documenting Nato actions in Afghanistan between 2004 and 2009 including previously unreleased details of civilian deaths and concerns that Pakistan and Iran are helping the Taleban in the conflict.

References to New Zealand defence force actions included previously undisclosed incidents - a "friendly fire" incident near the New Zealand base in Bamyan province, the medical evacuation of New Zealand soldiers for non-combat injuries and illnesses and what appears to be a be potential missile attack on an RNZAF Hercules in October last year.

The aircraft received a missile warning indicator and deployed flares to disrupt missile guidance systems but landed safely. "No injuries or damaged occurred. No missile was seen", the report says.

Yesterday, Dr Mapp said he had been on the aircraft's flight deck when the incident occurred during the approach to Bamyan after a flight from the United Arab Emirates.

"The threat warning went off a couple of times and the flares started getting ejected. The crew was looking to see if there was a smoke trail ... We decided after two minutes if there was a missile we hadn't seen it or there was no launch. There could have been someone activating a launch sequence without actually launching the missile."

The flight crew handled the incident "very professionally".

"I didn't think it was the first time for them. It's not that uncommon."

Nevertheless the incident "added a bit of interest to the journey".

"Obviously it's something that attracts your attention. The threat warning is of a sound and nature that you're not intended to ignore it."

Dr Mapp understood Mr McCully's aircraft had ejected flares on takeoff from Kabul during his most recent visit to Afghanistan, but it was unclear whether that was a preprogrammed measure or a response to a threat.

Dr Mapp said he had not been previously aware of a number of other incidents involving New Zealand defence staff revealed in the leaked documents. They included the medical evacuation of a New Zealand soldier whose leg was broken after a patrol vehicle backed over him during training at a firing range.

He said higher accident rates were to be expected in operational zones where "the whole tempo of activity is a lot higher and training exercises are more aggressive".

Nevertheless Dr Mapp said he'd asked for a report from defence chiefs on incidents outlined in the WikiLeaks report including a "friendly fire" incident near the New Zealand base in Bamyan some years ago involving an exchange of fire between Afghan Army and police. It is understood the incident did not result in any injuries or damage.

Dr Mapp didn't believe the release of the information would place defence staff in any additional danger.

DRAMA ALL IN DAY'S WORK

19/05/2005

Medevac request from the Bamyan PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team). The patient is a New Zealand soldier with gastro-enteritis.

19/02/2007

"During a meeting with the Afghan National Police, New Zealand forces were given two Victim Operated IEDs (improvised explosive devices) ... New Zealand personnel reverse engineered one of the devices."

30/03/2008

Report on NZ convoy hit by IED.

11/04/2008

NZ soldier medevaced after being backed over by a patrol vehicle at the firing range. The soldier was eventually sent on to Germany with a broken leg.

29/11/2008

Afghan forces hit by IED. "NZPRT deployed to site to investigate and discovered a secondary IED ... No casualties or damage reported."

6/05/2009

NZ forces find cache of weapons.

13/05/2009

NZ forces find cache of weapons.

20/10/2009

"A New Zealand C-130 on short final landing at KAIA received a missile warning indicator and deployed flares over Kabul. The A/C landed safely and no injuries or damaged occurred. No missile was seen."