ANDREW SMITHRAF Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, who died on 30 January, 2005, aged 25, was a pilot serving with 47 Squadron at RAF Lyneham.Joining the RAF was his life-long ambition. He was a skilled aviator who had just achieved one of the best ever results on an RAF tactical air transport course.Flight Lieutenant Smith devoted his spare time to his love of motorbikes. Flight Lieutenant Smith was a popular daredevil who could often be seen emulating the antics of his motorbike hero, Valentino Rossi.Flight Lieutenant Andrew Paul 'Smudge' Smith was born on 1 July, 1979, in Doncaster and educated at Matthew Humberstone School, Cleethorpes. He studied for a BSc (hons) in Environmental Management at Lancaster University.On 6 December, 1997, Flight Lieutenant Smith joined Liverpool University Air Squadron and began his elementary flying training at RAF Woodvale. He was commissioned as an Officer three years later on 6 August and continued his flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Fligh t Lieutenant Smith achieved his pilot's wings in 2002 and joined the Hercules fleet in August the following year. He was appointed squadron co-pilot with LXX Squadron on 15 January, 2004, and was later posted to 47 Squadron.The pilot amassed 685 flying hours during his career, 105 with the Hercules fleet.He was on his first operational detachment to Iraq.On 30 January, 2005, Flight Lieutenant Smith was on a routine flight in a RAF C-130K Hercules aircraft when the planewas shot down by enemy fire20 miles north-west of Baghdad. The crash killed nine RAF personnel and one soldier and at the time was the single largest loss of British life in Iraq since 2003. The incident occurred on the same day that Iraq held its first historic elections.Flight Lieutenant Smith's funeral was held at RAF College Chapel of St Michael and All Angels at Cranwell and was attended by Princess Anne, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and military chiefs. The service was marked by a four-tornado flypast flyover.The Ministry of Defence said: "Although Smudge was in the advent of his flying career, he brought a great deal of enthusiasm and humour to the crews he flew with."He was an active Officers' Mess member who keenly supported all social functions and his colourful character was reflected in his array of fancy dress costumes. Popular amongst his peers, his one-liners and witty comebacks will be sorely missed by all."His brother also paid tribute: "He was a really funny guy, very loud, and fearless. He loved abseiling and bungee jumping - he was a real daredevil. He was just so proud to have been in the RAF. It was what he always wanted to do. It is all just such a shock."
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