More Sadness

The Ministry of Defence announced today 'It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of a member of the Royal Air Force on Friday 23 December, 2011'.

The RAF serviceman was injured in the same explosion which killed the Royal Marine earlier this week and he survived long enough to be medivaced back to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, but sadly he didn't make it.

The number of UK military personnel killed in the Afghanistan war not stands at 393.

I'm sure, especially at this time of year, that all those who have died in the protection of the UK will be remembered.

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A Lone Marathon Runner

In a few hours hundreds of trainer clad people will set off round the streets of London in the annual marathon.  Each will have their reason to complete the 26.2miles and I wish them all the best.

However, I would like to wish an extraordinarily brave man all the best too.  He is Major Al Jarvis, who will be attempting to run in full body armour weighing 13kg, around the main operating base in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, which is home to Task Force Helmand HQ, His marathon won't be as scenic as the London streets as it's approximately 26 laps of the operating base.

Major Jarvis broke his back, left hip and right ankle in a parachute training exercise three years ago.  You can read his story here.

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