THREE airmen who died when their Tornado jets crashed into the Moray Firth have been praised by RAF top brass for their "determination, commitment and professionalism" to their duties.
Tributes were paid to Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, who died in hospital, and Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders whose bodies have not yet been recovered after Tuesday's accident off the north-east coast.
Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha, Air Officer Commanding Number One Group, RAF, said after their names were released in the House of Commons, that devastated colleagues' pain "cannot compare with that of their families".
A fourth crewman who ejected from one of the Tornado GR4s remains seriously ill in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
Air Vice-Marshal Atha said the men, who were technically still students while completing their flying training on XV (R) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, were "already qualified fast-jet pilots in their own right and had demonstrated great determination, professionalism, commitment and significant aviation prowess in order to get this far in their training.
"Their loss, so early in their careers as Royal Air Force officers and aviators, is keenly felt, but I hope it is of some comfort to their loved ones that they had already achieved so much and were held in such high regard."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told MPs: "My thoughts – and, I am sure, those of the entire House – are with their loved ones at this difficult time, and with the fourth member of the squadron involved in the incident, who is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital."
Fl Lt Poole, 28, from Bangor, north Wales, who had been training on the Tornado GR4 at Lossiemouth since November, was described as a natural talent at the controls of the near 1000mph aircraft.
The squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander Jonathon Moreton, said: "Fl Lt Poole had an outgoing personality, was universally liked by his colleagues, and was an enthusiastic member of my squadron and the RAF.
"Displaying a natural talent for flying the Tornado, he quickly established himself on the squadron as a very capable and confident pilot, which coupled with his keen sense of humour and engaging character made him a very popular student on the squadron."
He said Ft Lt Poole fundraised for the forces charity, Help for Heroes. The airman's "infectious" cheery personality would be "greatly missed", he added.
Squadron Leader Bailey, 36, originally from Nottingham, leaves behind a wife and a young daughter. He joined the Tornado Force in 2001, serving in operations over Iraq, and had been an instructor at the Moray base since 2004, winning promotion to his post two years ago from where he had a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Wing Commander Moreton added: "He had quickly established himself as one of my most trusted instructors and flight commanders. He touched all the parts of the squadron; an immensely likeable character and professional aviator, he will be sorely missed.
"Sam was fully committed to all aspects of service life; however, he valued his family time the most.
"The squadron's and my thoughts are with his wife Fiona and young daughter Erin at this immensely difficult time."
Fl Lt Sanders, 27, from Lancashire, was chosen early on in his career as an instructor, later switching to Tornados.
According to Wing Commander Moreton, Ft Lt Sanders was a "well-liked, hardworking and an enthusiastic individual" with "enormous potential".
He said he was looking forward to joining 617 Squadron (the original "Dambuster" squadron) which now flies Tornados at Lossiemouth.
The four had been on a training flight on Tuesday afternoon when their planes crashed 25 miles out of Wick near the Beatrice oilfield.
Initial Coastguard reports had mentioned a collision but this has not been confirmed. An RAF board of inquiry has been announced and the search continues for the planes.
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