A British Army bomb disposal specialist who became a legend by risking his life to defuse more than 60 Taliban roadside bombs was killed last weekend in Afghanistan while on his final mission before starting leave, the Times of London reported.
Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, — nicknamed "Oz" — died instantly when an improvised explosives device (IED) he was trying to disarm blew up.
Schmid's exploits were described as "legendary," having defused one in every 19 IEDs found by British troops since his tour in Afghanistan began last June, senior officers told the Daily Mail.
In one 24-hour operation, military officials said Schmid found and disarmed 31 roadside bombs. He deployed to Afghanistan in June, and had rendered safe 64 IEDs in that time.
He had recently been promoted to a "high-threat operator" and was described by the British Ministry of Defense as having a "natural aptitude" for bomb disposal work.
Another veteran bomb specialist, Captain Daniel Shepard, of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, was killed in Helmand in July, according to the Times of London.
Schmid leaves behind his wife, Christina, and five-year-old stepson Laird.
“Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day before two weeks off after a relentless five-month tour," Christina said. “He was my best friend and soulmate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.â€
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, to which Staff Sergeant Schmid was attached, said Schmid's bravery put him above the "best of the best."
“Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. I adored working with him," Thomson told the Times of London. "No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions. He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary battle group.â€
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