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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 senior aircraftmen 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. Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow, leaves one young son.
Both were Senior Aircraftmen. SAC Livingstone was from Glasgow and SAC Thompson from Nottingham. Gary Thompson, 52, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, a husband and father to five daughters, was managing director of a Nottingham company.
Two other personnel were injured in the blast, which happened during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield. Two other personnel were injured in the blast, during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield on Sunday.
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. 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 bomb.
SAC Livingstone and SAC Thompson were taken to the field hospital inside the base but died from their injuries. SAC Livingstone and SAC Thompson were taken to the field hospital inside their base but died from their injuries.
The two other servicemen suffered less serious injuries. One had already returned to duty, the MoD said.The two other servicemen suffered less serious injuries. One had already returned to duty, the MoD said.
'Sadly missed' 'Afghan mission'
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.
He leaves a young son, Kyle.
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 joined the RAF in 1973 but left in 1977 to pursue a 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.
'Greatly saddened' "Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are."
The commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, said SAC Livingstone was "one of the brightest characters on the squadron". He leaves behind his wife Jacqui and five daughters: Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17 and Kelly, 16 - who he said inspired him to serve in the war against the Taleban.
In February, SAC Thompson was quoted in the Rutland and Stamford Mercury saying: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university.
The loss of Tommo and Livi is a tragic blow to all who knew, trained and fought alongside them Squadron Leader Richard Langley
"I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had.
"It means I can come back and say I have played my part in trying to make that happen."
The commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, said SAC Livingstone, known as Livi, 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". 'Humour and skill'
"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." Sqn Ldr Langley described SAC Thompson, nicknamed Tommo, 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 said the regiment's thoughts were with their families, adding: "The loss of Tommo and Livi is a tragic blow to all who knew, trained and fought alongside them.
"Both men were immensely popular and professional, and the humour both brought to the squadron was immeasurable."
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.