 |
UK Ping list - if you would like on or off, freepmail me. |
Posted on 08/30/2007 4:46:15 AM PDT by UKrepublican
RAF gunner killed in Afghanistan
An RAF serviceman has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
A gunner from 51 Squadron was killed in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, shortly after midnight local time (2030 BST).
Personnel from the squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, were on a routine security patrol when one of its vehicles was caught in an explosion.
Next of kin have been informed. Two other servicemen were hurt.
A civilian interpreter was also killed in the blast during the patrol around Kandahar airfield, the main hub for British forces flying in and out of southern Afghanistan.
The two other wounded servicemen are said to have minor injuries.
The casualties were taken by helicopter to a Nato hospital inside the base, where the gunner was pronounced dead on arrival. The interpreter died of his injuries later.
The gunner is not expected to be named for at least 24 hours.
'Brave service'
Moray MP Angus Robertson extended his condolences to the family and friends of the serviceman.
"The death of someone stationed locally at RAF Lossiemouth brings home the risks our brave service personnel face on operations," he said.
"News of this fatality comes almost one year to the day since the Nimrod from RAF Kinloss crashed near Kandahar killing 14 people aboard."
The 51 Squadron had been in Afghanistan since April and were due to return home in the next few weeks.
The latest death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 74.
Last week, three soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment were killed in Helmand province in a "friendly fire" incident.
| |
UK Ping list - if you would like on or off, freepmail me. |
The amount of success we have had in both Iraq and Stan over the past 8 months is astounding....The only thing more astounding is the lengths the MSM are going to ignore such facts and to spin negative of our efforts in this WOT.
I'm trying to step away from the emotions surrounding the loss of a soldier for some perspective.
"The latest death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 74."
74 killed in 6 years of fighting is a remarkably low casualty rate.
I’m surprised to see you supporting the ‘ROYAL’ Air Force! :)
I guess PDROBAF doesn’t sound quite as good as RAF!
(Peoples Democratic Republic of Britain Air Force) :)
‘74 killed in 6 years of fighting is a remarkably low casualty rate.’
Even more so when one considers the majority of fighting the British Army do in Afghanistan is hand to hand, on foot patrols without armour.
My condolences non the less to his family and my thanks for his sacrifice.
RIP mate. Condolences to the family and his friends.
The BAF will do. ;)
now now, no hijacking the thread!
‘The BAF will do. ;)’
But then it loses it’s unique nomenclature as the only Air Force that doesn’t need to include the name of it’s country in it’s title - a benefit of being the worlds first ever air force.
Bloody roundheads. . . . . . :)
‘now now, no hijacking the thread!’
Sorry Dad! :(
“Condolences to the gunner’s family and friends and I hope they find some peace in their loss.”
Echoed mate.
“74 killed in 6 years of fighting is a remarkably low casualty rate.”
The UK has only had an offensive ground force since the middle of 2006 and we have taken the majority of our casualities (guess-timate around 50-60) during this period as the UK was tasked with leading the Helmand PRT and clearing the Helmand Valley of the Taliban (the area’s not called ‘The Black Heart of the Taliban’ for no reason!). Aside from the odd incursion assisting the US before ISAF was strengthened, we have had an army on the ground for only a short period of time.
Thanks for posting this.
My thoughts are with this brave serviceman and his family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.