The body of Didcot-based Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid has been repatriated to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
Staff Sgt Schmid, 30, died on Saturday while trying to make a bomb safe in the Sangin region of Helmand province — the last day of his five-month tour.
He was based with the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that the plane bringing the soldier’s body back to the UK has now landed at RAF Lyneham.
Following a ceremony at the air base, Staff Sgt Schmid’s coffin will be driven to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington for a post-mortem examination, and Royal British Legion representatives will line the route.
The coffin is expected to arrive in Headley Way near the hospital at about 2.30pm, where hundreds of people are expected to be gathered to pay their respects.
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