RAF Regiment Association

Sgt Barwood, 41, was based at RAF Brize Norton and attached to No 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.   He leaves behind his loving family: wife Sharon and two daughters, Leanna and Rebecca.

Sgt Barwood’s family have made the following statement: "Sgt Duane 'Baz' Barwood was a much loved husband, father and friend. Baz will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. He was a very proud and dedicated member of the Royal Air Force who gave his life for the job he loved."

"Baz cared about helping others around him - shown by his voluntary work as a First Responder for the Ambulance Service. His caring nature was shown in his family, social and service life. Baz lived life to the full and will never ever be forgotten.

"We would ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time."

Group Captain Malcolm Brecht, Officer Commanding RAF Brize Norton, paid the following tribute: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Sergeant Baz Barwood. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this extremely difficult time.

"Sergeant Barwood was an outstanding Senior Non-commissioned Officer in every respect. An enthusiastic, loyal and dedicated member of the Royal Air Force, he was a willing volunteer for his tour of duty on Operations in Iraq.

"A caring and diligent man, with a larger-than-life personality, Sergeant Barwood was admired and respected by all those he led. As the Motor Transport Officer for the Airfield at Basrah Air Station, Sergeant Barwood displayed natural leadership abilities, strong judgement and exceptional courage. He was a true professional."

Air Commodore Mike Harwood, UK Air Component Commander and Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group paid the following tribute: "It is obvious to me that he was one of those characters who translates our theoretical 'Core Values' - respect, integrity, service and excellence.

"In the very recent past, I shook his hand during one of those poignant 'in-the-field' ceremonies - his exemplary contribution during an incident at Basrah, alongside a group of his fine colleagues, earned him formal recognition. He is a human being one is proud to have known."

Group Captain Mike Wigston, Commander 903 Expeditionary Air Wing said: "Sergeant Barwood was an outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer who was loved by his people and respected by all. I came to know him well and we had many a conversation about our shared experiences and his delight at his next appointment.

"I’ll also remember him for his mischievous delight at solving the sort of unusual problems that are part of day to day life in Basra, usually achieved through some unconventional use of military equipment. His infectious pleasure at resolving these problems was recognised by us all and had a huge impact on morale.

"I also witnessed at first hand his bravery after a night-time rocket attack in January 2008 that damaged a large number of our vehicles. Under the distinct threat of further attacks, Sergeant Barwood and 2 colleagues identified which vehicles had sustained damage and who the vehicles belonged to. Their outstanding efforts that night set the tone for the way in which the Mechanical Transport Section would work to overcome the extraordinary challenges of the next few days.

"By morning, a plan had been formulated and mission-critical vehicles were resourced or reallocated in order to keep 903 Expeditionary Air Wing functioning as normal. Sergeant Barwood and his team’s efforts that week earned the Personal Commendation of the Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group."

"The thoughts of us all are with Sergeant Barwood’s family at this time."

Flight Lieutenant Tom Cousins, Officer Commanding Supply & Mechanical Transport Flight on 903 Expeditionary Air Wing said:

"Baz was an exceptional leader, whose friendly and flexible approach ensured that he had the respect of all who came in contact with him. I had only known Baz for 3 months, but it was a privilege to have worked with him, and an honour that I was able to call him my friend.

"No task was ever insurmountable, and the impact that he had made on 903 Expeditionary Air Wing since his deployment had been significant. His ever-present smile will be sorely missed by all.

"On return from Op TELIC, Baz was due to be posted to the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton. Like everything else that he did, he would have excelled in this environment, passing on his knowledge and high personal standards to the new recruits.

"Our sincerest condolences go to his wife and daughters at this difficult time, he often talked about you with immense pride and you clearly meant a great deal to him."

Corporal Ed Way RAF, a junior Non-Commissioned Officer Mechanical Transport Control on 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, said:

"I have known Baz Barwood for 10 years, throughout that time he has been the most professional, loyal and committed Serviceman that I have ever met.

"His guidance to me and all who have been fortunate to work with him has been second-to-none. He was a caring, honest and refreshingly genuine person who will always be remembered."Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, killed in Afghanistan - 31 Aug 07

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge from C flight, 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment in Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan on the morning of 30 August 2007.

A civilian interpreter was also sadly killed in the incident and two other servicemen received minor injuries. Shortly after midnight local time, C Flight was conducting a routine security patrol around Kandahar Airfield when the vehicle SAC Bridge was travelling in was caught in an explosion.

All the casualties were evacuated to the ISAF medical facility at Kandahar Airfield by emergency response helicopter. Sadly SAC Bridge was pronounced dead on arrival and the interpreter later died of his wounds.

SAC Christopher Bridge, aged 20, from Sheffield joined the Royal Air Force on 12 June 2005. After successful completion of his Trainee Gunner Course, undertaken at RAF Honington, he was posted to 51 Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Lossiemouth on 18 November 2005. During his time on the Squadron he served in Southern Iraq between January and June 2006 providing Force Protection for Basra International Airport.

More recently, SAC Bridge had been deployed on Operation HERRICK providing Force Protection for Kandahar Airfield since April 2007. His role took him into the local community to deliver enhanced security, not only for the Airfield but also for the Afghan population. At the time of his death he was providing security for his colleagues as a top cover sentry for a mobile patrol.

SAC Bridge was an extremely popular and professional Gunner. He was relatively junior in rank; however, he was immensely dependable and hard working. His infectious sense of humour made him stand out amongst other Squadron personnel and he could be relied upon to raise a smile in adversity.

Squadron Leader Tony Brown, Officer Commanding 51 Squadron RAF Regiment, said:  "Senior Aircraftman Chris Bridge was a very competent Gunner, unassumingly professional and with a promising career ahead. Following operational service in Iraq, Chris had consolidated his position on the Squadron as a capable and enthusiastic Gunner whose likeable personality and witty sense of humour made him engaging to serve with. Passionate about travel, he had clearly made his mark on the Squadron and will be sorely missed."

Flying Officer Matt Jupp, Officer Commanding C Flight, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment, said:  "Chris Bridge was a very well liked, motivated and hard working member of the Flight. A once quiet young man he grew into an adventurous, charismatic and intelligent Gunner. He was a high calibre member of the Royal Air Force Regiment and a generally good bloke. I will miss him."

Sergeant 'Oz' Bailey Senior Non Commissioned Officer, C Flight, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment, said:  "Chris Bridge was a member of C Flight for the best part of 18 months. He was a quiet and confident young man and well liked by all on the Flight. His one outstanding trait was his dry sense of humour, which always had us in fits. Never one to complain he worked hard for everyone. He will be missed by me personally and the rest of the gunners on C Flight."

Senior Aircraftman 'Parky' Parkhouse, C Flight, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment said:  "He was a good mate and when we worked together, Chris was nothing less than totally proficient and hard working. He was liked amongst the whole Flight and Squadron. He will be missed so much by everyone and forever in our thoughts."

Senior Aircraftman 'Burky' Burke, C Flight, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment said:  "Chris was a top lad and liked by everybody. He was always happy in a quiet way. Very well known throughout the Squadron for his dry sense of humour. Chris was on C Flight as a specialist machine gunner and will be missed and remembered forever. He will always be with us in our hearts."

Ms Nicolette Williams, mother of Christopher Bridge, said:  "Christopher was my pride and joy; everybody is heartbroken who knew him. He touched so many lives. He died courageously serving his country and Queen and we are all very proud of him."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said:  "Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge was held in very high regard by his comrades and officers. His death is a tragic loss which is being felt by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades at this most difficult of times."

Senior Aircraftman Bridge's family have requested that the media respect their need for privacy at this difficult time
Leading Aircraftman Beard killed in Southern Iraq on Tuesday,7th August 2007

The Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, in Basra, southern Iraq on Tuesday 7 August 2007.
Leading Aircraftman Beard, aged 20, was taking part in a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British Base at Basra Air Station. The aim of the patrol was to deter indirect fire attacks on the base and reassure the local population.Leading Aircraftman Beard sustained a gunshot wound when the patrol came under attack as it moved through Al Waki Market. He was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital but sadly did not survive.

Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard was from Rainworth, near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. He leaves behind his loving family and fiancée Nic. In a statement, the Officer Commanding No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, said:

It is with profound sadness that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deaths of Senior Aircraftsman Matthew Caulwell, Senior Aircraftsman Christopher Dunsmore and Senior Aircraftsman Peter McFerran in southern Iraq on Thursday 19 July 2007.

As members of B Flight they were tasked on 19 July 2007 with protecting aircraft operating from Basrah Airport. Their job was to ensure that the ground over which the aircraft fly was clear from the threat of militia, who have tried to target the aircraft whilst they are at their most vulnerable, during take-off and landing.

During the early afternoon there were no aircraft movements and the three men were resting, prior to going out to patrol again. The COB came under rocket attack and tragically all three were killed instantly by the attack.

Officer Commanding No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, said:

"The Squadron has been a close knit family throughout its 85-year history, and our ethos of mutual trust and dependence is never more important than when we are engaged on challenging operations such as now in Iraq. The loss of Senior Aircraftsman Caulwell, Senior Aircraftsman Dunsmore and Senior Aircraftsman McFerran has been felt very deeply by all the on the Squadron and by other members of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.

Senior Aircraftsman Matthew Caulwell

 

SAC Matthew Caulwell was 22 years old, from Birmingham and had served on 1 Squadron since 2002. Better known to the Squadron as ‘Lip’, he was a true character known for his outgoing, gregarious nature. Though he was able to find humour in even the most difficult situation, he was also a true professional and his skills as a leader had been recognized by his promotion to Acting Corporal.

"He rose to this new challenge magnificently and the bearing and deportment of a junior non-commissioned officer came very naturally to him: his lads held him in the utmost respect and instinctively followed his example. Throughout all, his trademark good humour would keep up the spirits of his many friends, one of whom, SAC Greenwood said about him 'Lip was morale, when morale did not exist'. Loyal and unfailingly dependable, Matthew had a very bright future in the Corps and he will be sorely missed by us all.  

 

As members of B Flight they were tasked on 19 July 2007 with protecting aircraft operating from Basrah Airport. Their job was to ensure that the ground over which the aircraft fly was clear from the threat of militia, who have tried to target the aircraft whilst they are at their most vulnerable, during take-off and landing.

 

During the early afternoon there were no aircraft movements and the three men were resting, prior to going out on patrol again.  The COB came under rocket attack and tragically all three were killed instantly by the attack.

 

"Intelligent, determined and a fine comrade and fiend, he was as immensely proud to serve with 1 Squadroin as we were to serve alongsode him.  He was one of us and his loss has been deeply felt by us all."

 

"To lose any member of our Squadron is a tragic blow to all who knew them, trained with them, laughed with them and fought alongside them. The loss of three such popular and professional men is simply devastating. Lip, Pete and Chris will be terribly missed by all of us on 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, and we will honour their memory by continuing to do our duty here in Iraq in the manner they embodied: with determination and pride. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this tragic time."

 Senior Aircraftsman Peter McFerran

"SAC Peter McFerran was 24, from Connahs Quay in Flintshire and the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) operator for his unit, a position requiring great skill for which he had been carefully selected. He demonstrated during training a genuine and natural aptitude for the role and brought to it the professionalism and ingenuity that characterized all he did.Senior Aircraftsman Christopher Dunsmore

"Like his father before him Peter joined the RAF Regiment in 2004, a source of great pride to them both and he was every inch the epitome of a Regiment Gunner: robust, strong, dedicated and loyal. SAC Bell, who served in the same vehicle with Pete says simply 'he was a genuine friend that was capable of much more than he knew'.

"He was utterly dependable and as his Squadron Commander I knew I could rely on him not only for the consummate skill he brought to the job but also for his honest, incisive opinion. His job was his life, his hobby, everything, and in Pete we have lost one of our finest.

 

SAC Christopher Dunsmore was 29, from Leicester, and had been a member of 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment at RAF Cottesmore for four years. Engaged to Donna, he held a managerial position in a paint company and was a keen snow boarder, but since August 2006 he had been attached to 1 Squadron having committed a year of his life to the service of his country.

 

"Our Auxiliary colleagues fill vital roles on the Squadron, and none more so than Chris. He was a highly skilled individual, and from the very start of his time with us he put 100% into everything he did and was always ready for any challenge. His joie de vivre was infectious when times were hard and one of his friends, SAC Hammer captured him perfectly 'Chris had a passion for everything he did: life, hobbies and his friends'.

"Intelligent, determined and a fine comrade and friend, he was as immensely proud to serve with 1 Squadron as we were to serve alongside him. He was one of us and his loss has been deeply felt by us all.

To lose any member of our Squadron is a tragic blow to all who knew them, trained with them, laughed with them and fought alongside them. The loss of three such popular and professional men is simply devastating. Lip, Pete and Chris will be terribly missed by all of us on 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, and we will honour their memory by continuing to do our duty here in Iraq in the manner they embodied: with determination and pride. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this tragic time."

 

Commanding Officer 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment Squadron Leader Jan Burton said:"Chris Dunsmore was a quiet, thoughtful individual who brought much to the Squadron. Fit, smart and very keen he participated in as many Sqn activities as possible skilfully balancing the demands of his long-term relationship to Donna, his civilian job with METOKOTE and his Sqn training obligation."