Three RAF Servicemen Lost in Iraq

[LFFC]

More terrible news. Sadly the BBC is reporting that 3 RAF servicemen have been killed in Iraq (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6907641.stm). My heart goes out to their families and friends!

As part of the RAF family, their tragic loss touches us all. I'd like to say how proud and grateful we all are of the RAF Regiment's work to protect us; their courage and skill are second to none and their contribution is absolutely vital. We'll all miss you guys; rest in peace.

[sirsaltyhelmet]

My thoughts with the families. RIP guys

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Reast in Peace guys. My condolences to the families.

[SmilingKnifed]

The BBC are reporting them as being 1 Sqn RAF Regt. I know people from every cap badge are losing their lives, but it still hurts when it's your own service. I spent a very happy time being wound up by the Rocks as a drunk holding monkey at St Mawgan.

Per Ardua (Ad Astra):(

[Navaleye]

I am deeply saddened to hear of this loss. My thoughts are with the family and friends of those concerned as I know all are here. Rest in peace.

[Tigs2]

Very Very Sad
With the battle for Ashtead I feel an emotional wreck and this news is just too much. To the families, your loved ones were our loved ones and we will miss them dearly. There will be many many people shedding tears for your sons,husband fathers tonight, I am one.

[November4]

MOD saying that 2 were from 1 Sqn RAF Regt and the other was from 504 RAuxAF Sqn.

RIP and condolences to the families.


Was only being told at the weekend how it was almost a miracle that so few casualties had been caused givent he amount of indirect fire being put on the camps and that sooner or later....

[Chugalug2]

Weep you no more, sad fountains

Weep you no more, sad fountains;
What need you flow so fast?
Look how the snowy mountains
Heaven's sun doth gently waste.
But my sun's heavenly eyes
View not your weeping,
That now lies sleeping
Softly, now softly lies
Sleeping.

Sleep is a reconciling,
A rest that peace begets:
Doth not the sun rise smiling
When fair at even he sets?
Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping,
While she lies sleeping
Softly, now softly lies
Sleeping.

Anonymous Olde English

Rest in peace now, duty done. May the strength to bear this be found by those who love them.

[neilmac]

What a terrible loss to the Regt, thoughts with family and friends at this time and Im sure the whole of the RAF will agree, in Iraq the RAF Regt have been outstanding and our fallen comrades a credit to the Royal Air Force.


RIP

NM

[Dogwatch]

RIP Guys.

Condolences to the families.

[sittingstress]

A sad loss that will be sorely felt on both sqns.

Fellow Gunners, Per Ardua

ss

[Magic Mushroom]

Rest in Peace guys and thoughts and prayers with the families.

MM

[XV277]

Sad news. Thoughts to their families and comrades.

[El Mirador]

With thoughts and prayers to all. Many many condolences.

[Tappers Dad]

My thoughts are with their families today. RIP

May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest

[Almost_done]

From Mr and Mrs A_D our thoughts to all, RIP guys.

[Rocket Chucker]

Terrible news, as mentioned earlier, we feel the loss of all our guys and girls but when it’s your own cap badge, and fellow gunners that pain is a little more acute.

My thoughts and prayers, and those of my family are with the families, friends and comrades of these guys.

Rest in peace, we will remember them.

Per Ardua

[Brown Job]

RIP from the Army, we join you in your sadness for good friends lost.

[Jobza Guddun]

From the family Guddun

RIP guys. Per Ardua (Ad Astra)

[barnstormer1968]

I have not been anywhere hot or sandy (a civilian now), and my only dealings with the R.A.F. Regiment, were during the cold war period. Although (as a British Army soldier) I got on very well with them, and found them to be a friendly and professional bunch, I often found that this view wasn't shared by many R.A.F. station personnel (many of you will remember those days, and know some of your reasons why).
BUT, when push came to shove, and things turned nasty in the sandpit, the rock apes have proved to everyone (especially to the other side, it seems), that they could indeed excel in their mission. I have heard tales from various people, of how once in theatre, the R.A.F. regiment transformed base security, and really took the offensive to the other side.
So whether regular or auxiliary (it makes no difference to me). I would like to add my gratitude for the stirling job these folks do. It seems that we are all very proud and grateful of the R.A.F. Regiment, and their ability to be a true force multiplier, as well as a morale booster.

RIP to some of the crème de la crème. Your families are in Barnstormer and his families thoughts.

[DicksterH]

My heart skipped today to hear of our losses in Iraq. We have lost part of our family. My tears are real and my heart heavy. My condolances go to all of their families and comrades.
Go Forth the Big Red One.

God Bless you all, for you do a sterling job and we will never forget your sacrifices.

Mr & Mrs H
ex reg & 1 Sqn

[TommyOv]

A sad day for the RAF and RAuxAF. The RAF Regiment have distinguished themselves in the Gulf, and these fellows lost their lives doing a great service.

RIP

Per Ardua Ad Astra
Comitamur Ad Astra

[OKOC]

In 35 years service I never met a more professional outfit than the "Rocks", your loss hits us all. My thoughts are with the families at this truely dreadful time-God Bless you all.

[c-bert]

Is this the first RAuxAF casuality in recent times?

As a fellow Oggie, RIP guys.

[woptb]

RIP Guys.

Condolences from an ex-Penguin & family.

[GasFitter]

PER ARDUA

RIP

[Wycombe]

RIP, from an ex-Oggie.

[ceecl2]

My thoughts are with the family and friends, as well as the guys out there.

RIP

[Airborne Aircrew]

Ex II Sqn Rock here...

That hurt when I read it on Arrse last night... It still does...

RIP

[Squirrel 41]

Terrible news - Reg/Aux makes no difference at times like this. Condolences to all the families at this dreadful time.

RIP

S41

Per Adua / Comitutamur Ad Astra

[Report Line]

Rest on arms reversed for fallen comrades.

Farewell Oggie

To the 1 Sqn guys - Swift and Sure.

:suspect:

[mutleyfour]

I have always been impressed by the professionalism of the RAF Regiment and was deeply saddened to hear todays news.

Our thoughts are with all of the family and friends of those involved.

A pongo

[gar170]

RIP and condolences to the families.

Ex Oggie

[Shack37]

A very sad day indeed, thoughts are with the families and comrades.
To the stars boys.
RIP

S37

[Spiro]

From one of the pilots that you have protected many times over during the last 4 years.
RIP Guys..our thoughts are with you and your families
Spiro and Family

[PingDit]

R.I.P.
Our thoughts are with you all,

PingDit & family

[ATCO17]

A terrible and tragic loss. Thoughts with families, comrades and friends....

A17

[Scribbly]

Very sad to hear this today, will be thinking of you all.

[Nomad72]

RIP guys, long may you be remembered.

Now lets just make sure their families have everything they need and stay part of the RAF Family.

[Rocket Chucker]

Well said Nomad. :D

Nuff said.

[Always a Sapper]

Comments seconded there barnstormer1968

RIP guys, thoughts as always with family and friends.

[BootFlap]

RIP fellas,
my sincere, and heartfelt condolences to the families left behind. Others will use better words and phrases than I can, so I shall simply say goodbye, sleep well.

[Rocket Chucker]

The names of the guys have just been published on the BBC website.

RIP

Per Ardua

[diginagain]

Rest in Peace, guys.

It feels close to home, as their colleague and room-mate is my neice's fiancee, and is home on R and R with us. We are doing all we can for him at this difficult time.

[The Burning Bush]

Just young lads too. RIP.

Per Ardua.

[Jerry Can]

RIP lads. From the Can family.

[snoopy1]

ex 26 sqn rock
the loss of comrades is deep and harsh and never nice to bear. and when you feel there one of your own it hurts so deep down there. im so sorry rip guys

[Brian Dixon]

RIP Gents.

Per Ardua

[difar69]

:(
My thoughts and best wishes at this sad time to all friends and family of the 3 who lost their lives.

Remember them.

[TheWizard]

I was fortunate enough to be working with these guys over the last month and unfortunately witnessed the events. A more professional bunch of lads you could not meet and on behalf of all of us on IRT, we salute you.
RIP lads and our sincere thoughts go out to family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
1419 Flt

[fangorboy]

God bless you Lads - our thoughts are with you and the families.

We salute you all who serve.

RIP

[chappie]

my thoughts and prayers are with you all from those we lost and their loved ones left behind to the raf community who will not forget. sadly i know the pain of losing someone special in iraq and though there are no words that can ease your pain or the devastaing loss you feel you are not alone.

rest in peace

[bigmalc]

Aye

Malc
Glastonbury

[Wader2]

Anyone else feel sick whenever they log on to the Defence Intranet?

Every day a new happy smiling face. Another death of the day.

What a sickening waste. I am minded to remove the Intranet as my home page butthen I would just be ignoring the problem as perhaps too many are doing.

[Tombstone]

RIP gentlemen,

I'm proud to have worn the same uniform as you.

Per Ardua.

[Spikey T]

Been away and just heard, what a completely shocking waste.

RIP lads, Per Ardua Ad Astra.

My condolences to all affected.

[theotherhalf]

God Bless you all. We should always remember that every day our guys ,knowing the risks, still go forward together with strength and courage. You really are the best there is.

Sleep Well.

[cornish-stormrider]

A late post but as always. Thoughts and prayers are with the families and have been since the wife and I heard.

RIP Lads

[Al R]

Rest in peace lads. We all had something in common with you and we still feel your loss and share your loved ones grief.

Per Ardua

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44012000/jpg/_44012971_threeservicemen_203mod.jpg


"No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say “These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.”
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day."