Royal Air Force Corporal Brent McCarthy

25-year-old British RAF Police Corporal Brent John McCarthy was one of two British servicemen killed on 12th May 2012 while providing security at a meeting in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. They were both shot by an Afghan Policeman.

Born in Hanover, Germany, Corporal McCarthy joined the Royal Air Force in August 2008. He was assigned to RAF Brize Norton in July 2009 where he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan with 174 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police as part of the Theatre Provost Group. During his pre-deployment training Corporal McCarthy showed an aptitude for mentoring and was a natural choice to embed with the Welsh Guards as part of the Police Mentoring Advisory Group.

Lieutenant Colonel Dino Bossi, Commanding Officer, Police Mentoring and Advisory Group, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, said: "Corporal Brent McCarthy came to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards during our training for Operation HERRICK 16. Over a six-month period before the tour began he lived and operated with the men who he was to support in Afghanistan. His intelligence, ready wit and his desire to muck in and take part in all aspects of communal life meant that he fitted seamlessly into an extremely tight team. Corporal McCarthy was extremely popular and hugely respected among the men with whom he lived and fought - not always an easy trick for a military policeman from another Service, but one he achieved with ease and some style."

Corporal McCarthy leaves behind his father John, mother Sarah, sister Jodie, his partner Sarah and his niece Miajay and nephew Kyron.

Funeral of fallen British SAC Ryan Tomlin

The funeral of an RAF airman who was killed in Afghanistan has taken place today.

21-year-old Senior Aircraftman Ryan Tomlin of 2 Squadron RAF Regiment was shot while on patrol in Nade Ali last month.

His family described him as a 'true hero and a shining star'. The funeral took place at St Mary's Church in Hemel Hempstead.

SAC Ryan Tomlin killed in action in Helmand

British Senior Aircraftman Ryan Tomlin, of 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment was killed in action on 13th February 2012 during a patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province. SAC Tomlin was fatally shot when insurgents attacked his unit.

21-year-old SAC Tomlin joined the Royal Air Force in October 2008, completing his Trainee Gunners Course in April 2009 before moving on to the Phase One Field Gunners Course. He was selected to join 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, based at Royal Air Force Honington, in June 2009.

He served in Afghanistan in 2010 as a specialist driver on a rifle flight (the RAF Regiment equivalent of a platoon), defending Kandahar Air Base. He deployed on his second tour in Afghanistan in October 2011 with No. 3 RAF Force Protection Wing at Camp Bastion.

Flight Lieutenant David Martin, Deputy Squadron Commander, 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment, No. 3 RAF Force Protection Wing, said: "Professional, experienced and extremely popular, Senior Aircraftman Tomlin was one of the best gunners in 2 Squadron. He excelled at everything he did and he epitomised the Royal Air Force Regiment spirit in every way. He was hugely respected by his peers and he frequently mentored the younger members of the Squadron. Joining the Squadron in 2009, Senior Aircraftman Tomlin soon proved to be an exceptional marksman, displaying an excellent flair for fieldcraft."

He leaves behind his mother and father, Diane and Kevin, and a sister, Michelle.

British Airman shot dead in Helmand

A British airman from the Royal Air Force Regiment was shot dead on Monday 13th February 2012 when insurgents attacked his patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, Britain's Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday. It is the fourth British fatality in Afghanistan so far this year.

"It is my sad duty to report that an airman was fatally wounded during an insurgent attack in the Western Dashte area of Nad-e Ali whilst on a patrol to interact with the local population," said Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, a spokesman for British Forces in Helmand.

Lt. Col. Mackenzie did not say whether any other service members were injured in the attack, but said the victim's family has been informed. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time," he added.

The airman has been named as SAC Ryan Tomlin.

Squadron Leader Anthony Downing, Royal Air Force

British Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Anthony Downing, aged 34, died on 23rd December 2011 after the vehicle he was in struck a roadside bomb during an operation south of Kabul.

Squadron Leader Downing had been seriously wounded in the blast and was flown back to the UK where sadly, he died of his wounds at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. His family were with him when he died.

Known as Ant, Squadron Leader Downing was, by trade, an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force. His unassuming and modest demeanour belied a hugely professional officer and an extremely determined individual. His generous nature and interest in Afghanistan and her people, led to his intimate involvement in the planning and subsequent conduct of outreach patrols.

Ant was professionally respected and hugely appreciated for his skills, and built a strong rapport with the Afghan soldiers and their British mentors; his loss is felt greatly among both. He leaves behind his parents, a brother, a girlfriend and a dedicated following of friends, with whom this great loss is shared.

Killed in the same incident was Royal Marines Captain Tom Jennings

British Royal Air Force serviceman dies from bomb injuries

Squadron Leader Anthony Downing from the Royal Air Force died on Friday 23rd December 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The serviceman was seriously wounded when his vehicle was caught in an explosion south of Kabul on Thursday 22nd December. He was flown back to the UK where sadly, he died from his wounds. Captain Tom Jennings, Royal Marines, was killed in the same incident.

Tribute to Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging

A British RAF pilot who flew combat missions in Afghanistan supporting ground troops has been killed in an accident while flying with the Red Arrows Display Team.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging had completed a display at a show in England on Saturday 20th August 2011 and was returning to base with the team when his aircraft, a Hawk T1, crashed. Flight Lt. Egging was killed by the impact. The cause of the crash is being investigated.

The 33-year-old pilot joined the RAF in 2000 and had flown Harrier GR9 combat aircraft in Afghanistan.

RAF Nimrod aircraft crashes killing 14

Fourteen British military personnel have died after a Royal Air Force Nimrod MR2 aircraft crashed in Afghanistan on Saturday 2nd September 2006.

The Nimrod exploded in mid-air near Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, shortly after air-to-air refuelling. The crew and passengers were on a mission to support Nato and Afghan forces in an operation against the Taliban in Helmand. 

The 14 crew members

The crew and passengers onboard were:

1. Allan Squires, Fl. Lieutentant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
2. Benjamin Knight, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
3. Gareth Nicholas, Fl. Lieutenant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
4. Gary Andrews, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
5. Adrian Davies, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
6. Gary Quilliam, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
7. Gerard Bell, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
8. John Langton, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
9. Joseph Windall, Marine, Royal Marines
10. Leigh Mitchelmore, Fl. Lieutenant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
11. Oliver Dicketts, L-Corporal, Parachute Regiment
12. Stephen Beattie, Sergeant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
13. Steve Johnson, Fl. Lieutenant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force
14. Steve Swarbrick, Fl. Lieutenant, 120 Sqn Royal Air Force