GLOWING tributes were today paid to two Suffolk servicemen who were killed instantly in a surprise mortar attack in Iraq.Senior aircraftsmen Matthew Caulwell, 22, from Birmingham, and Peter McFerran, 24, from Connahs Quay in Flintshire, were today named as the two men based at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, who died in Thursday's attack by insurgents.

GLOWING tributes were today paid to two Suffolk servicemen who were killed instantly in a surprise mortar attack in Iraq.

Senior aircraftsmen Matthew Caulwell, 22, from Birmingham, and Peter McFerran, 24, from Connahs Quay in Flintshire, were today named as the two men based at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, who died in Thursday's attack by insurgents.

The third, senior aircraftsman Christopher Dunsmore, 29, from Leicester, who was based at RAF Cottesmore, was also killed as the trio were safeguarding aircraft operations from Basra Airport.

Military officials said the men's role was to ensure the ground over which planes flew was clear from the threat of the militia who targeted aircrafts as they took off and landed at the airport.

But it is believed there were no aircraft movements at the time of the attack as the men - all members of the B Flight - rested prior to going out on patrol again.

Sqdr Ldr Jason Sutton, commanding officer for the No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, said: “The squadron has been a close knit family throughout its 85-year history and our ethos of mutual trust and dependence is never more important than when we are engaged on challenging operations such as now in Iraq.

“The loss of senior aircraftsman Caulwell, Dunsmore and McFerran has been felt very deeply by all on the squadron and by other members of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.”

Defence Secretary Des Brown said he was “deeply saddened” by the news adding: “They were all exceptional and talented young men whose professionalism and selfless commitment will not be forgotten.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to their partners, families, friends and colleagues in Iraq at this most painful and difficult of times.”