The deceased RAF Regiment gunners have been named as Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingston and Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment.
Graham Livingston, 23
Senior Aircraftman Graham 'Livi' Livingston
Senior Aircraftman Graham Keter Livingston, aged 23, was born on 17 November 1984 in Glasgow.
After completion of his basic training, SAC Livingston became a trainee gunner on 13 December 2004. He was posted onto 3 Squadron RAF Regiment at Aldergrove on 4 March 2005, and moved with the Squadron when they were relocated to RAF Wittering in the spring of 2007. He was promoted to Senior Aircraftman on 17 October 2005 and whilst with 3 Squadron he served in Iraq in 2006 and deployed to Afghanistan on 22 February 2008. SAC Livingston'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."
Gary Thompson, 51
Senior Aircraftman Gary 'Tommo' Thompson
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Gary Thompson, aged 52, was born on 15 October 1956. SAC Thompson joined the Royal Air Force in November 1973 as a Supplier and duly left the Service in October 1977 to pursue a civilian career. He subsequently joined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 19 March 2005. After successful completion of his Basic Gunner Course in May 2006 he was given the badge of a RAF Regiment Gunner. He went on to complete a Mortar Cadre Course with 3 Squadron RAF Regiment in February 2007 and was mobilised on 29 October 2007, where he was assigned to Support Weapons Flight. He was promoted to Senior Aircraftman on 1 March 2008. SAC Thompson deployed to Kandahar Air Field with 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment on 22 February 2008.
In civilian life, SAC Thompson was 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. The Family of SAC Thompson 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."
Squadron Warrant Officer, No 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, Warrant Officer Garry Eden said:
"Graham Livingston and Gary Thompson.. were a sure defence to all they served."
Well said Garry.