MoD Names RAF Men Killed In Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the two RAF men killed in Afghanistan at the weekend.

Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingston, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment and Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, 51, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment were killed in an explosion during a routine patrol near Kandahar Airfield on Sunday.

The men were in a security patrol as part of Support Weapons Flight of 3 Squadron RAF Regiment to protect the airfield from enemy attack, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.

Both men were taken to the field hospital at the airfield but died as a result of their wounds.

Two other servicemen were also injured in the blast, but their injuries were not life-threatening. The MoD confirmed that one men has now returned to duty.

SAC Livingstone, from Glasgow, initially joined the Royal Marines in 2003, before joining the Royal Air Force a year later.

He was promoted to Senior Aircraftman in 2005 and served in Iraq in 2006, before being deployed to Afghanistan in February this year.

He had a young son called Kyle.

SAC Livingstone's 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."

Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, said that 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."

SAC Thompson, from Nottingham, joined the RAF in 1973, but left four years later to pursue a civilian career. He subsequently rejoined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 2005 and was deployed to Afghanistan in February this year.

SAC Thompson was the Managing Director of Sherwood Ducting Ltd in Nottingham.

He leaves behind his wife Jacqui and their five daughters, Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17 and Kelly, 16.

His family issued a statement which said: "A devoted husband, father, son and brother who touched the lives of everyone who knew him; 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.

"Gary, you have had our hearts from the beginning and now they are yours forever."

Sqn Ldr Langley said that SAC Thompson was "the consummate professional soldier and airman". He said: "Fitting in immediately, his skills and humour were such that all held him in the highest regard. 'Tommo' was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason, who continuously supported the squadron's less experienced gunners."

(KMcA/JM)