The Tornado was shot down by an US missile

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Flight Lieutenant David Rhys Williams, whose family comes from Crickhowell in Powys, was killed along with pilot Kevin Barry Main.

Their plane was hit by an American Patriot missile as it returned to land at Ali Al Saleem Air Base in Kuwait in the early hours of Sunday.

Both men served with 9 Squadron, based at RAF Marham, in Norfolk.

Lance Corporal Llywelyn Evans died on Friday

Flt Lieutenant Williams had two young children.

His parents, Rhys and Pat Williams, a retired couple, moved to live in Crickhowell a year ago.

They said he died doing the job he loved, and had always wanted to fly.

Local people have been rallying round to offer their support.

Wing Commander Mike Oldham, acting Station Commander at RAF Marham, said: "They were returning from one of many successful and professionally conducted missions in Iraq, and I would like to pay tribute to their expertise and dedication."

Wing Commander Oldham added: "Our thoughts and prayers are, of course, with the families and friends of the air crew concerned."

It follows the death of Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, who was one of 12 British and American servicemen who died when a helicopter carrying them crashed near the Iraq border on Friday.

His younger brother Lee is also in the Royal Artillery and was fighting in the Gulf but has now returned home to Llandudno in north Wales to be with the family.

Llywelyn Evans was serving in 29 Commando Royal Artillery, attached to 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.

Cavalry

Meanwhile, troops from Wales have been involved in stopping up to 50 Iraqi tanks moving south of the city of Basra, according to military reports.

Light tanks from the Welsh Cavalry are believed to have joined helicopter gunships and Royal Marines in the operation.

The Queen's Dragoon Guards, which is largely made up of Welsh soldiers, were part of the force reported to have halted the Iraqi tanks.

The Iraqi units are thought to have been trying to move south to the Al Faw Peninsula.

Troops of the Guards - known as the Welsh Cavalry - are also building prisoner-of-war camps in southern areas of the country.