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Details of the crew members were announced today in the House of Commons by the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP.
"I am sure the House will wish to join me in paying tribute to the Crew
from 15 (Reserve) Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, who were involved
in the Tornado GR4 aircraft incident on Tuesday: Flight Lieutenant Hywel
Poole who was killed, and Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight
Lieutenant Adam Sanders who are still missing and must be presumed dead.
"My thoughts - and, I am sure, those of the entire House - are with
their loved ones at this difficult time, and with the fourth member of
the Squadron involved in the incident, who is currently in a serious but
stable condition in hospital."
Flight Lieutenant Hywel Tomos Poole BEng (Hons)
Flight Lieutenant Hywel Tomos Poole was born on 22 April 1984 in Bangor
and was educated locally. Whilst at school he was a member of the Welsh
National and British National Sailing Squads and became a RYA Dinghy
Instructor. He then went on to read Naval Architecture at Southampton
University where he was also a member of the University Air Squadron,
graduating from RAF Officer Training on 16 October 2006. He successfully
completed basic and advanced flying training and was selected for
training on the Tornado GR4, arriving at RAF Lossiemouth in November
2011. He had recently commenced the penultimate phase of the Conversion
Course.
Officer Commanding XV(Reserve) Squadron, Wing Commander Jonathon Moreton
said:
"Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole had an outgoing personality, was
universally liked by his colleagues, and was an enthusiastic member of
my squadron and the Royal Air Force. Displaying a natural talent for
flying the Tornado, he quickly established himself on the Squadron as a
very capable and confident pilot, which coupled with his keen sense of
humour and engaging character made him a very popular student on the
Squadron. Outside the Squadron, he dedicated much of his personal time
to others: he mentored other Station personnel who aspired to gain a
commission and would always volunteer to raise money for Station
charities, including Help for Heroes. An infectious personality, always
cheerful, friendly and immensely likeable, Hywel will be greatly missed
by all. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly
difficult time."
Squadron Leader Samuel Edward Bailey BEng (Hons) RAF
Squadron Leader Samuel Edward Bailey was born in Nottingham on 23 June
1976. He completed an Aeronautical Engineering Degree in 1998 at the
University of Hertfordshire and commenced RAF Officer Training in
February the following year. Having successfully completed navigator
training, he joined the Tornado Force in August 2001 serving on XIII
Squadron at RAF Marham where he deployed on operations over Iraq. He
then joined XV(Reserve) Squadron as an instructor in 2004, serving on
operations in Afghanistan.
Officer Commanding XV(Reserve) Squadron, Wing Commander Jonathon
Moreton, said:
"After an enormously successful front-line tour of duty on XIII
Squadron, Sam joined the instructor cadre on XV(Reserve) Squadron in
2004. He excelled in the role and was quickly recognised as a talented
mentor and trusted supervisor. His performance earned him promotion to
Squadron Leader in 2010 and, after a tour of duty in Afghanistan, he
returned to XV(Reserve) Squadron as a Flight Commander. He had quickly
established himself as one of my most trusted instructors and flight
commanders. He touched all the parts of the Squadron, an immensely
likeable character and professional aviator, he will be sorely missed.
Sam was fully committed to all aspects of Service life; however, he
valued his family time the most. The Squadron's and my thoughts are
with his wife, Fiona, and young daughter Erin at this immensely
difficult time. This great loss will be felt intensely by all who knew
him."
Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders RAF
Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders was born on 24 November 1984. He was
educated at Scarisbrick Hall School where he was Captain of the
cross-country and cricket teams before undertaking higher education at
King George V College, Southport. In his spare tim, before joining the
RAF, he was a member of the Air Training Corps, achieving the rank of
Cadet Flight Sergeant. After graduating from RAF Officer Training in
September 2004 he excelled during flying training and he was selected to
instruct other pilots to fly the Hawk. At the end of his instructional
tour in 2012, he moved to XV(Reserve) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth to
undergo Tornado GR4 conversion training.
Officer Commanding XV(Reserve) Squadron, Wing Commander Jonathan
Moreton, said:
"Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders was a talented pilot who was recognised
early on in his RAF career for his flying ability and professionalism;
so much so that upon completion of his Advanced Flying Training on the
Hawk T1, he was specially selected to become an instructor on the
aircraft. After arriving on XV(Reserve) Squadron, he continued to
demonstrate very high standards and a real enthusiasm toward flying the
Tornado GR4. I was impressed with his commitment to the Squadron; he
was a well liked, hard working and an enthusiastic individual. He had
enormous potential as both a pilot and officer. Adam was looking forward
to joining 617 Squadron after completion of the Operational Conversion
Course; I am sure that the loss of this capable and much-admired pilot
will be keenly felt by all on my squadron and the Royal Air Force
community at large. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this
difficult time."
In the service of our country. |
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