Army explosives expert killed defusing bomb in Afghanistan

A senior army explosives expert was killed while defusing a bomb in southern Afghanistan, it has been revealed.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Sean George Schmid, 30, died instantly on Saturday while trying to make safe an improvised explosive device in the Sangin region of Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.

He was commanding an improvised explosive device disposal team (IEDD), conducting what the MoD described as a "manual route search" to clear devices near a forward base. Schmid, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was deployed to Afghanistan five months ago.

Since then he had made safe 64 IEDs and found 11 bomb-making centres, the MoD said. He took part in operation Panther's Claw, the army's offensive to clear populated areas in central Helmand of Taliban insurgents.

So far this year 87 British service personnel have been killed in southern Afghanistan, compared with 51 for the whole of last year, according to the MoD.

Sangin district has been particularly dangerous for British troops, with many killed while on patrol over recent months. The majority have been the victims of IEDs. Army commanders are pressing the government to deploy more reconnaissance systems to Helmand, including unmanned drones, to get more intelligence about where and when roadside bombs are planted.

Schmid, also known as Oz, was from Winchester, Hampshire. His wife, Christina, said: "Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered during a relentless five-month tour. He was my best friend and soulmate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him."

Schmid joined the army in 1996 and progressed through the ranks, being promoted to staff sergeant in April last year.

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the British counter-IED taskforce in Helmand, described Schmid as a "brilliant IEDD operator and a superb soldier".

He added: "We loved him like a brother; he was a much adored member of our close-knit family … he had such a bright future ahead of him in a career that he so blatantly loved; the army has been robbed of a superb talent."

Lt Col Robert Thomson, commander of the 2 Rifles battle group, said Schmid was "simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met".

He added: "[Schmid] 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. Superlatives do not do the man justice. Better than the best. Better than the best of the best."

One of Schmid's colleagues, Major Tim Gould, described him as "a man of extreme courage".

He added: "To see him out here in Afghanistan was to view a man very much in his element; he simply loved what he did. In fact, you would swear that he was born for it."
Guardian