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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. |
The two are Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, and Gary Thompson, 52, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. | |
Both were Senior Aircraftmen. SAC Livingstone was from Glasgow and SAC Thompson from Nottingham. | |
Two other personnel were injured in the blast, which happened during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield. | |
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' |
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. |