Iraq News Story

04 July 2009 21:04 BST

British airman killed in rocket attack in Basra named

The British airman who died in a rocket attack on a military base in Basra, southern Iraq, has been named by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

A statement posted on the MoD's website today confirmed the death of Sergeant Duane 'Baz' Barwood.

Sergeant Barwood, who was part of the Royal Air Force's 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, was killed in an attack on the Contingency Operating Base in Basra at around 21:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Friday night.

He had joined the Royal Air Force in 1985 as a regiment gunner before being transferred to become a motor transport driver.

His family released a statement saying: "He 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 lived life to the full and will never ever be forgotten."

Group Captain Malcolm Brecht also paid tribute saying: "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.

"Our thoughts are very much with his family at this extremely difficult time."

Defence secretary Des Brown also expressed his grief at the death of the airman, claiming: "I am deeply saddened by the death of such as brave and dedicated leader."

The total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since 2003 now stands at 175.

In December, British troops handed over control of the Basra province to the Iraqi authorities, over four years after the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The number of British troops stationed in Iraq currently stands at over 4,000, though prime minister Gordon Brown has pledged to reduce that number to 2,500 in the spring.