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RAF men killed in blast are named RAF men killed in blast are named
(about 1 hour later)
Two British servicemen killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence.Two British servicemen killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence.
Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow, died on Sunday. The two are Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, and Gary Thompson, 52, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Also killed was Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, 52, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, from Nottingham. Both were Senior Aircraftmen. SAC Livingstone was from Glasgow and SAC Thompson from Nottingham.
Two other service personnel were injured in the incident, which took place during a routine patrol 1.2 miles (2km) west of Kandahar Airfield. Two other personnel were injured in the blast, which happened during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield.
The pair had been taking part in a security patrol as part of Support Weapons Flight of 3 Squadron RAF Regiment. The men had been taking part in a security patrol in Daman District as part of Support Weapons Flight of 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, when the general purpose Land Rover they were travelling in struck a roadside device.
SAC Livingstone and SAC Thompson were taken to the field hospital inside the base but died from their injuries.
The two other servicemen suffered less serious injuries. One had already returned to duty, the MoD said.
'Sadly missed''Sadly missed'
They were taken to the field hospital inside the base but died from their injuries.
The two other servicemen suffered less serious injuries and one had already returned to duty, the MoD said.
SAC Livingstone joined the RAF in 2004 after a short period in the Royal Marines. He had been promoted to Senior Aircraftman in 2005 and had also served in Iraq.SAC Livingstone joined the RAF in 2004 after a short period in the Royal Marines. He had been promoted to Senior Aircraftman in 2005 and had also served in Iraq.
His mother, Rosemary O'Neil, said: "Graham was a much loved father, son and brother. He died doing a job he loved.His mother, Rosemary O'Neil, said: "Graham was a much loved father, son and brother. He died doing a job he loved.
"As a family we are very proud and he will be sadly missed.""As a family we are very proud and he will be sadly missed."
SAC Thompson, 52, was a father-of-five who worked as a managing director in civilian life.SAC Thompson, 52, was a father-of-five who worked as a managing director in civilian life.
He joined the RAF in 1973 but left in 1977 to pursue civilian career.He joined the RAF in 1973 but left in 1977 to pursue civilian career.
He subsequently joined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force in March 2005.He subsequently joined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force in March 2005.
His family said: "Gary was more than our hero, he was the rock and foundation of our family. Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are."His family said: "Gary was more than our hero, he was the rock and foundation of our family. Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are."
'Greatly saddened''Greatly saddened'
The commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, said SAC Livingstone was "one of the brightest characters on the squadron".The commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, said SAC Livingstone was "one of the brightest characters on the squadron".
He said: "He was a very operationally experienced gunner, and his professionalism showed in all that he did.He said: "He was a very operationally experienced gunner, and his professionalism showed in all that he did.
"Always with a smile, a throw away line and a gag, Livi's humour was at the heart of Support Weapons Flight.""Always with a smile, a throw away line and a gag, Livi's humour was at the heart of Support Weapons Flight."
Sqn Ldr Langley described SAC Thompson as, "a consummate professional soldier and airman".Sqn Ldr Langley described SAC Thompson as, "a consummate professional soldier and airman".
"He was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason who continuously supported the squadron's less experienced gunners.""He was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason who continuously supported the squadron's less experienced gunners."
Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the deaths.Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the deaths.
"They were both extremely well liked and popular airmen and will be sorely missed by all who knew them.""They were both extremely well liked and popular airmen and will be sorely missed by all who knew them."
The deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 93.The deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 93.