AIRFORCE personnel and villagers are mourning the deaths of two officers from RAF Benson in the Iraq helicopter tragedy.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Monday that Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill, 32, and Wing Commander John Coxen, 46, were among five people killed in Basra at the weekend.

Flt Lt Mulvihill is the first British servicewoman to die in action in Iraq, while Wing Cdr Coxen was the most senior British officer to die during the current campaign. The officers, from 28 Squadron RAF, were passengers in a Lynx helicopter which crashed into a two-storey house on Saturday.

The other servicemen killed pilots Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman and Captain David Dobson and marine gunner Paul Collins were based at Yeovilton, Somerset.

British investigators are examining the wreckage to see if it was shot down, as was claimed by Iraqi police at the scene. Five Iraqis were killed and more than 40 were wounded in violent demonstrations that followed the crash.

Group Captain Duncan Welham station commander at RAF Benson, met the families of the two officers and afterwards paid tribute to the pair.

He said: "Words cannot adequately express our grief at their loss."

Flt Lt Mulvihill was originally from Canterbury and had been based at Benson for a year. She was on her second deployment in Iraq, serving as a Flight Operations Officer.

Her husband Lee, also an RAF serviceman, said: "Sarah was my best friend. She was also an adored daughter and sister, highly loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

"Her love of sport and outdoor activities was only outshone by her commitment to the Royal Air Force, of which she and I are extremely proud to be part.

He added: "Her loss has greatly affected and impacted on more people than anyone can comprehend."

Gp Capt Welham said: "Whilst at Benson, Sarah-Jayne's lively character and commitment to colleagues and friends made her extremely popular, both in the workplace and across the wider station community.

"There was nothing that she would not tackle and her contribution to all aspects of life and work was actively sought, valued and appreciated. She was a keen sportswoman, who enjoyed running, rowing and football."

He described Wing Cdr Coxen, who was originally from Liverpool and joined the RAF in 1983 before rising through the ranks, as a "true professional" and a "devoted husband".

He added: "John's reputation across the Support Helicopter Force and Royal Air Force was second to none. He was a unique individual, humble and courageous. The world will be a sadder place without him.

"A true professional at work in all that he touched, he was outwardly quiet, but always had a twinkle in his eye that gave away a mischievous and dry sense of humour.

"John enjoyed family life to the full with his wife Agnes and will be sadly missed."

Bouquets were left at the base by Benson residents, and Wallingford mayor Lynda Atkins said it was a difficult time for everyone.

She said: "We have close ties with RAF Benson, which has the Freedom of Wallingford, and we are all deeply sorry that RAF Benson personnel have lost their lives."

Colin Attwood, landlord of the Shepherds Hut, in Ewelme, said: "It was a bit of a shock. The girl came in here a few times. She seemed to enjoy herself when she was down here. This is a close-knit community. Anything like this will affect people."