Gunner killed in Afghan blast is named
A GUNNER based at RAF Lossiemouth who was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan was named yesterday.
The Ministry of Defence said that Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, 20, from Sheffield, of 51 Squadron, RAF Regiment, died in the blast in the early hours of Thursday morning.
A civilian interpreter was also killed in the attack outside Kandahar airfield, the main hub for NATO forces flying in and out of southern Afghanistan.
Two other servicemen, also from the RAF Regiment, and a second interpreter suffered minor injuries.
The death is the latest tragedy to hit the military bases in Moray. It comes almost exactly a year after a Nimrod from neighbouring RAF Kinloss crashed near Kandahar, killing 14 people aboard. A memorial service will be held tomorrow to mark the anniversary.
Yesterday the flag at RAF Lossiemouth was flying at half mast. Local people laid floral tributes at the gates of the complex.
Group Captain Mark Roberts, the commanding officer at RAF Lossiemouth, said: “An inquiry has been set up to examine the facts of the incident. Our prayers and thoughts go to the families of those involved.”
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