ROBERT MCKIBBENRobert Joseph McKibben was one of two Royal Marines killed in a mine blast in Afghanistan on 12 November, 2008.He andNeil Dunstanwere on patrol with soldiers from the Afghan National Security Forces when their Jackal vehicle was struck by an explosive device in the Garmsir district of Southern Helmand.They were operating as part of Task Force Helmand's Information Exploitation Group. They both served with 42 Commando unit which is based in Plymouth.Marine McKibben, known to most on his unit as 'Frank', was serving on Operation HERRICK 9 with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF), United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group, as a reconnaissance operator .Thirty-two-year-old Marine McKibben from Westport, County Mayo in Ireland, had been expected home on leave before Christmas.He was a well-known and well-liked member of his community back home and local priest Father Micheal Mannion paid tribute to him: “Everyone in the family is in terrible shock.It's a nightmare scenario to lose a son and a brother in such tragic circumstances.“He was 28 when he joined the Army and that's what he always wanted to do. He was happy doing that, even though he was in Afghanistan, a very dangerous place. His family are very proud of him. He was a lovely, humorous guy and very popular.”He was survived by his parents Tony and Grainne, his brother, Raymond, and his sisters, Carmel and Rachel.Michael Ring, a TD (MP) who lives close to the McKibben home in Westport, said the family were distraught."I know the family very well and naturally enough, they are devastated," he said.Marine McKibben was very involved in the small west of Ireland community as a youngster and played gaelic football and hurling during his school days, according to Mr Ring."I knew Robert when he was growing up, and he was a very nice young fellow from a decent family," he said. "He always wanted to be a soldier and he was a fine man well cut out for the job."The deaths of Marines McKibben and Dunstan brought total British fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq to 300.Robert's family released a statement saying: “We are all extremely proud of our Robbie. He had very definite plans of how he wanted to live his life; he was always thoughtful, considerate and had an amazing sense of humour that touched so many lives. He was so full of life and was loved so much by his family and by all his friends. Robbie has left a huge void in our hearts and he will never be forgotten.”His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J McInerney paid tribute to him: “Marine Robert Joseph McKibben was a larger than life character, with an easy smile and quick wit. He was an immensely capable man, yet his humility made him an example and inspiration to all he served with.“A true commando; tough, unassuming and hugely convivial, he viewed life as a glass half-full. Marine McKibben had an indomitable sense of humour in the face of any adversity. Regardless of the task or conditions his can do attitude helped him and others overcome every test they encountered.”
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