It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Squadron Leader Anthony Downing, who died on 23 December 2011 following an incident in Afghanistan.
An RAF officer who saved lives on Scots mountains died in a special forces operation in Afghanistan, it was revealed yesterday.
Squadron Leader Anthony Downing, 34, was fatally injured by a Taliban roadside bomb south of Kabul. His companion on the mission, Captain Tom Jennings, 29, of the Royal Marines, was also killed.
Anthony, known as Ant, was flown to Britain but died the next day in hospital.
Yesterday, former comrades at RAF Kinloss in Moray paid tribute to Ant, who served in their mountain rescue team for three years and took part in more than 70 rescues in Scotland.
Ant, an Iraq veteran and languages specialist, was acting as interpreter for Tom, a member of the special forces when they were caught in the blast on Thursday.
Squadron Leader Paul Lipscomb, who heads the Kinloss mountain rescue team, said yesterday: "He is one of the best examples of
the courage and commitment that has typified RAF mountain rescue team members for nearly 70 years."
Deputy leader Sergeant Ed Jones said: "Ant was an exemplary team member who inspired all with his great fitness and endurance."
Ed added that as well as doing triathlons, Ant raised money for charity and was a volunteer for The Samaritans.
He went on: "Ant, you were a truly great friend. You are gone now but I will never forget our adventures in the
mountains."
The purpose of the mission the two men were on is not known as the MoD do not divulge the nature of special forces operations.
Music is Suilven by Runrig.
Suilven (Scottish Gaelic: Sula Bheinn) is one of the most distinctive mountains in Scotland. Lying in a remote area in the west of Sutherland, it rises almost vertically from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs and lochans known as Inverpolly National Nature Reserve.
