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| RAF men killed in blast are named | RAF men killed in blast are named |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Two senior aircraftmen 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. |
| Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow, leaves one young son. | Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow, leaves one young son. |
| Gary Thompson, 51, 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, during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield on Sunday. | 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 bomb. | 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 their 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. |
| 'Afghan mission' | '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. | 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 joined the RAF in 1973 but left in 1977 to pursue a civilian career. | SAC Thompson joined the RAF in 1973 but left in 1977 to pursue a 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. | 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." | "Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are." |
| 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | "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." | "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". | 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." |
| 'Humour and skill' | 'Humour and skill' |
| Sqn Ldr Langley described SAC Thompson, nicknamed Tommo, as, "a consummate professional soldier and airman". | 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 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. | 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." | "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. |