RAF gunner killed in Afghanistan bomb attack, taking British toll to 74

The RAF Regiment gunner, who is expected to be named tomorrow, died when his lightweight Land Rover was caught in the blast outside the sprawling Kandahar military base. His next of kin have been informed.

A civilian interpreter was also killed and two other RAF men were badly injured in the explosion, which took the UK armed forces death toll in Afghanistan to 74.

The Ministry of Defence were unable to say last night whether the explosion was caused by a booby-trap bomb or a landmine, which may have been left over from earlier wars in the area.

The news comes as the family of US Corporal Nathan Hubbard, killed last week in Iraq, buried their son in Clovis, California.

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Corporal Hubbard was the second of two brothers in the family to be killed, prompting a Saving Private Ryan-style rescue mission to bring the third and last brother, Jason Hubbard, home safely from Iraq to his family.

Jason and Nathan both joined the army in 2005 in tribute to their brother Jared, who was killed in action.

Troops from the RAF Regiment involved in yesterday's attack mount constant patrols around airstrips used by UK forces in Afghanistan. This is done in a bid to prevent a potentially catastrophic attack on transport aircraft which frequently carry hundreds of British personnel - and are particularly vulnerable as they approach to land.

Kandahar air base is the main UK air transport hub in Afghanistan and the largest military base in the south of the country, housing some 20,000 Nato personnel.

The casualties from 51 Squadron RAF Regiment, based at Lossiemouth in Scotland were flown to the nearby Nato military hospital inside the base by helicopter, where the gunner was pronounced dead on arrival. The interpreter died of his injuries later.

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Group Captain Mark Roberts, RAF Lossiemouth's station commander, said: 'It is not yet known what caused the explosion but an inquiry has already been set up to examine the facts of the incident.

"Our prayers and thoughts go to the families of those involved, as well as the other members of 51 Squadron who will all feel the profound effect of this tragic loss."

The fact that the dead and wounded RAF troops were patrolling in a lightweight, unarmoured vehicle will add to concerns over the quality of protection available to UK forces.

Although new Mastiff armoured vehicles are available in Afghanistan, and have saved numerous lives by surviving minestrikes and rocket-propelled grenade attacks, the patrol hit by yesterday's explosion was using stripped down "Wolf" Land Rovers offering far less protection.

An MOD spokesman claimed the "Wolf" vehicles were favoured by RAF patrols because they were manoeuvrable and offered good all-round visibility.

Soldiers have praised the Army's new £500,000 Mastiff armoured patrol vehicle, which has a special V-shaped hull to deflect blast from landmines upwards and outwards, as well as sophisticated side armour and toughened glass.

Private Stephen MacLauchlan, from York, told journalists recently how he survived four RPGs hitting his vehicle, as they failed to penetrate the windscreen or side armour.

Pte MacLauchlan, of 8 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, said: "Quite simply, I owe my life to this vehicle.

"If I had been in any other armoured personnel carrier, I'd almost certainly be dead now.

"These vehicles are the safest we have in theatre. They cost half a million pounds each but it's money well spent."

Other soldiers described how Mastiffs have driven over large anti-tank mines, but have continued driving despite losing tyres, with the occupants uninjured.

Ben Parkinson, the 23-year-old Paratrooper whose case has been highlighted in a Daily Mail campaign this week, was horribly injured when his lightweight Land Rover hit a landmine in northern Helmand Province last year.