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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - This is what real men are made of

Posted: 11/2/2009 11:50:32 AM EDT

Soldier killed defusing 65th bomb

Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid saved many lives

A British soldier responsible for
making safe 64 bombs during five months in Afghanistan, died as he
tried to defuse another, it has emerged.

Staff Sergeant Olaf
Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was a week off seeing his
family again when he was killed on Saturday in Helmand province.

His wife, Christina, said she had lost her "soulmate", as colleagues paid tribute to a "courageous legend".

A total of 224 UK military personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.

'Phenomenal husband'

Staff
Sgt Schmid, who had been in the Army for 13 years, had been commanding
a bomb disposal team who were dealing with a roadside device near
Sangin.

He was killed when the bomb went off as he was defusing it.

A week later, he had been due to fly home for a two-week break, the Ministry of Defence said.

Part
of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, based in Didcot,
Oxfordshire, he was responsible for making safe 64 roadside bombs since
his tour in Afghanistan began in June.

Staff Sgt Schmid, born in Cornwall, lived in Winchester with his five-year-old stepson and wife.

His courage was not displayed in a fleeting moment of time; he stared death in the face on a daily basis

Lt Col Gareth Bex

Christina Schmid said: "Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving
father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless
five-month tour.

"The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work."

Lieutenant
Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group,
said: "Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous
man I have ever met.

"No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions.

"He
saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a
very special place in every heart of every rifleman in our
extraordinary battle group."

Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding
officer of the counter IED (improvised explosive devices) task force,
said Staff Sgt Schmid had been a "legend".

He added: "Staff Sgt
Oz Schmid was a brilliant operator and a superb soldier. We loved him
like a brother. He was a much adored member of our close knit family.

"With
his tousled hair and boyish grin his effervescent presence was always
good for morale and he had an infectious enthusiasm.

"His courage was not displayed in a fleeting moment of time - he stared death in the face on a daily basis.

"Many
soldiers and ordinary Afghans owe their lives to Staff Sgt Schmid's
gallant actions and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Posted: 11/2/2009 11:59:32 AM EDT

[#1]

RIP

Fuck Afghanistan, Blair and Brown

Posted: 11/2/2009 12:06:10 PM EDT

[#2]

RIP Brave Hero.

Posted: 11/2/2009 12:08:33 PM EDT

[#3]

RIP

Posted: 11/2/2009 12:22:50 PM EDT

[#4]

"See you on the reorg"

Posted: 11/2/2009 12:44:49 PM EDT

[#5]

Staff Sergeant Olaf
Schmid, we will remember you.
can we not just blow this shit up from the air or use a fuckin robot , or are we that poor that we NEED to risk the live of young men.

john

Posted: 11/2/2009 1:07:24 PM EDT

[#6]

Unfortunately the concept of men and women being expendable cannonfodder lives on.

Its happened to a greater or lesser extent in every armed conflict.

Posted: 11/2/2009 1:31:13 PM EDT

[#7]

Rest in Peace

Posted: 11/2/2009 1:54:19 PM EDT

[#8]

RIP

Posted: 11/2/2009 8:23:35 PM EDT

[#9]

RIP

Still pissed off at having to spend a moment of deep thought for every service person killed in what would appear to be a never ending list of name's who were someone, had families friends and loved ones who will be traumatised at their loss.

It is time for an end game scenario, now not just prior to an enforced general election.

Tony

Posted: 11/3/2009 9:07:30 AM EDT

[#10]

RIP

Posted: 11/3/2009 9:17:07 AM EDT

[#11]

RIP

Posted: 11/3/2009 11:20:45 AM EDT

[#12]

RIP Soldier

Posted: 11/3/2009 2:34:36 PM EDT

[#13]

R.I.P.

Posted: 11/3/2009 11:05:43 PM EDT

[#14]

True courage. RIP Staff Sgt Schmid.

Posted: 11/4/2009 6:14:12 AM EDT

[#15]

Very brave chap. RIP S/SGT Schmid

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - This is what real men are made of

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Soldier killed defusing 65th bomb

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