A 21-year-old airman killed in Afghanistan has been described as a “true hero” ahead of his repatriation to RAF Brize Norton tomorrow.

Senior Aircraftman Ryan Tomlin, from 2 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, was killed on Monday last week, during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

SAC Tomlin, from Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, was taking part in a patrol on the edge of Nad ’Ali district, in central Helmand province, when he was wounded by small arms fire in a Taliban attack.

He was evacuated by air to the field hospital at Camp Bastion, but died from his wounds.

SAC Tomlin leaves behind his mother and father, Diane and Kevin, and sister Michelle.

In a statement, they said: “Ryan loved and lived life to the full. He gave his life at a very young age doing the job he loved.

“Ryan will be sorely missed by his family and friends and everyone who loved him. We will remember his cheeky grin and great sense of humour.

“Ryan will be forever young and never forgotten. Our true hero and shining star.”

SAC Tomlin completed his first tour in Afghanistan in 2010 as a specialist driver in a Rifle Flight (the RAF Regiment equivalent of an Army infantry platoon), defending Kandahar airfield.

He was deployed on a second tour of duty with No 3 RAF Force Protection Wing at the main British base at Camp Bastion last October.

Wing Commander Jason Sutton, Commanding Officer, No 3 RAF Force Protection Wing, also paid tribute to SAC Tomlin’s commitment to his job.

He said: “When the task was hard, he would immediately rise to the challenge. When those around him were weary, he was the one to lift their spirits, and, when the enemy threatened, he was the first to be ready to fight.”

SAC Tomlin’s body is due to arrive at RAF Brize Norton at 2pm tomorrow, where it will be met by his family. His cortege will pass by the Memorial Garden on the edge of Carterton at about 4pm, and arrive at about 4.45pm at the Headley Way entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where a post mortem will be carried out.

As always, SAC Tomlin will be saluted by members of the Royal British Legion, who will gather in Headley Way.

Oxford Royal British Legion chairman Jim Lewendon, said: “It is coming up to four years in June that we will have been gathering here and each time is as emotional and distressing as the first time.

“Here I am, coming up 84, while this lad has been taken at the age of just 21. It’s a tragedy.

“About 200 of us will gather up here to greet his cortege as it goes into the JR this week, and we will be here until the last one passes but the sooner that happens, the better.”