Intelligence

SAS soldier killed in Iraq helicopter was ‘exemplary leader’

Michael Evans, Defence Editor

The SAS soldier killed in the twin helicopter crash in Iraq was named yesterday as Colour Sergeant Mark Powell.

The death of the 37-year-old soldier was a blow both to the elite regiment in which he served and for operations in Iraq, where his combat-proven experience was viewed as irreplaceable.

Colour Sergeant Powell joined the Parachute Regiment in December 1990 and is understood to have served in the SAS for many years.

The rank of colour sergeant is a prestigious position in any regiment, but a mark of especial status in the SAS.

In a brief but telling eulogy, the Ministry of Defence said that he was “an exemplary combat leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country”.

The MoD said: “In the finest traditions of the Army and his regiment, he was utterly selfless, never shirking danger, effort or hard service in the pursuit of his mission.” His loss was “tragic and keenly felt by all”, but “his example to others will be sure to endure and inspire us all for years to come”.

He died when two RAF Pumas collided in mid-air north of Baghdad.

The RAF loadmaster also killed in the same helicopter has not yet been named because some relatives have not been traced.

Details of Colour Sergeant Powell’s career were in short supply, but defence sources said that he had a wealth of experience and had been deployed on covert missions in many theatres all over the world.

He joined the SAS in his early twenties after serving in the Parachute Regiment before passing the tough selection course for the Hereford-based SAS.

April 22, 2007 at 03:58 PM in SAS | Permalink | Top of page | Blog Home