12/09/2006

Aircraft crash victims' bodies return to UK

The bodies of 14 British servicemen killed in an RAF Nimrod crash in Afghanistan have been flown back to RAF Kinloss in Scotland.

Air force chiefs and senior politicians have joined the families of the dead men at the base to mark the return of the bodies.

Twelve RAF personnel, who were all based at Kinloss, died in the crash, which happened near Kandahar on September 2. A Royal Marine and an Army soldier on board were also killed.

The crash is believed to have been caused by a technical fault.

British military personnel are killed abroad are normally brought back to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, but it was decided to return the bodies to RAF Kinloss because of the number of personnel from Kinloss involved.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed in this tragic crash. They were outstanding, brave and dedicated men. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

The 12 RAF personnel who were killed were: Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson; Flt Lt Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore; Flt Lt Gareth Rodney Nicholas; Flt Lt Allan James Squires; Flt Lt Steven Swarbrick; Flt Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews; Flt Sgt Stephen Beattie; Flt Sgt Gerard Martin Bell; Flt Sgt Adrian Davies; Sergeant Benjamin James Knight; Sgt John Jospeh Langdon and Sgt Gary Paul Quilliam.

Royal Marine David Windall and Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts were also killed.

(KMcA)

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