Brit EOD Legend Killed in Afghanistan

[brabus]

Never heard of Sgt Schmid until this, but sounds like a great guy and one who did an especially dangerous job to keep others safe. Here's to him :beer:.

Bomb Disposal Hero Killed in Afghanistan

A British Army explosives specialistwho became a legend by risking his life to defuse more than 60 Talibanroadside bombs was killed in Afghanistan during his final missionbefore he took leave, the Times of London reported Tuesday.

StaffSergeant Olaf "Oz" Schmid, 30, died instantly Saturday when animprovised explosives device he was trying to disarm blew up. It was his last job before a planned two-week break, his widow Christina Schmid told the newspaper. “Ozwas a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered onhis last day before two weeks off after a relentless five-month tour,"she said. Thebomb disposal expert's exploits were described as "legendary." Hedefused one in every 19 IEDs found by British troops since his tour inAfghanistan began last June, senior officers told the Daily Mail. Inone 24-hour operation, military officials said Schmid found anddisarmed 31 roadside bombs. He deployed to Afghanistan in June, and hadsince then rendered 64 IEDs safe. Shortlybefore his death, he had been promoted to the position of "high-threatoperator" and was described by the British Ministry of Defense ashaving a "natural aptitude" for bomb disposal work. Anotherveteran bomb specialist, Capt. Daniel Shepard, was killed inAfghanistan's Helmand Province in July, according to the Times ofLondon. In addition to his wife, Schmid leaves behind a 5-year-old stepson Laird, the paper reported. “Hewas my best friend and soulmate," the grieving widow told the Times ofLondon. "The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowinghe saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.”

Lt.-Col.Robert Thomson, the commanding officer overseeing the 2 Rifles BattleGroup Schmid served with, said his bravery put him above the "best ofthe best." “Under relentless IED and smallarms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. I adored working withhim," Thomson told the Times of London. "No matter how difficult orlethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only sawsolutions.”

[Guest CA]

Never heard of Sgt Schmid until this, but sounds like a great guy and one who did an especially dangerous job to keep others safe. Here's to him :beer:.

Bomb Disposal Hero Killed in Afghanistan

A British Army explosives specialistwho became a legend by risking his life to defuse more than 60 Talibanroadside bombs was killed in Afghanistan during his final missionbefore he took leave, the Times of London reported Tuesday.

StaffSergeant Olaf "Oz" Schmid, 30, died instantly Saturday when animprovised explosives device he was trying to disarm blew up. It was his last job before a planned two-week break, his widow Christina Schmid told the newspaper. “Ozwas a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered onhis last day before two weeks off after a relentless five-month tour,"she said. Thebomb disposal expert's exploits were described as "legendary." Hedefused one in every 19 IEDs found by British troops since his tour inAfghanistan began last June, senior officers told the Daily Mail. Inone 24-hour operation, military officials said Schmid found anddisarmed 31 roadside bombs. He deployed to Afghanistan in June, and hadsince then rendered 64 IEDs safe. Shortlybefore his death, he had been promoted to the position of "high-threatoperator" and was described by the British Ministry of Defense ashaving a "natural aptitude" for bomb disposal work. Anotherveteran bomb specialist, Capt. Daniel Shepard, was killed inAfghanistan's Helmand Province in July, according to the Times ofLondon. In addition to his wife, Schmid leaves behind a 5-year-old stepson Laird, the paper reported. “Hewas my best friend and soulmate," the grieving widow told the Times ofLondon. "The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowinghe saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.”

Lt.-Col.Robert Thomson, the commanding officer overseeing the 2 Rifles BattleGroup Schmid served with, said his bravery put him above the "best ofthe best." “Under relentless IED and smallarms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. I adored working withhim," Thomson told the Times of London. "No matter how difficult orlethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only sawsolutions.”

Here's to a man who willingly walked towards what everyone else would rather run from. Cheers to you Soldier!

[135ASelect]

What a distinguished career this soldier had. This is for you,

To fallen soldiers let us sing,

Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,

Our broken brothers let us bring

To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,

No more fight,

No friends bleeding through the night,

Just Devine embrace,

Eternal light,

In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry

And no children weep,

We shall stand and guard

Though the angels sleep,

Oh, through the ages let us keep

The Mansions of the Lord

To you Oz,

[JarheadBoom]

[zrooster99]

[-Roll-]

I don't know if you guys read this website often, but Micheal Yon puts some pretty good stuff up there.

Here are some of his pictures when he was embedded with that unit.

Britain Loses one of its Finest