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UK soldier killed in blast named | UK soldier killed in blast named |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan trying to defuse a roadside bomb has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid. | |
The 30-year-old from the Royal Logistic Corps died on Saturday when the bomb exploded near Sangin in Helmand. | |
His wife, Christina Schmid, said he was her "soulmate" and she took comfort knowing he had saved "countless lives". | His wife, Christina Schmid, said he was her "soulmate" and she took comfort knowing he had saved "countless lives". |
His death brings the total number of UK military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 224. | His death brings the total number of UK military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 224. |
Staff Sgt Schmid had been commanding a bomb disposal team who were dealing with a confirmed roadside bomb. | Staff Sgt Schmid had been commanding a bomb disposal team who were dealing with a confirmed roadside bomb. |
He was killed when the device initiated as he was defusing it. | He was killed when the device initiated as he was defusing it. |
Since his tour in Afghanistan began in June, Staff Sgt Schmid was responsible for making safe 64 roadside bombs. | |
Lt Col Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met. | |
"No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions. | |
"He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every rifleman in our extraordinary battle group." |