A 26-YEAR-old Royal Air Force serviceman whose main ambition was to serve in Afghanistan has died after suddenly collapsing at the headquarters in High Wycombe.

Senior aircraftman Darren Foster collapsed last Saturday at the RAF's HQ Air Command in Naphill and died later in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. His cause of death is currently unknown.

He was due to celebrate his 27th birthday at a party this weekend and was described as a “fun loving and popular individual”.

His main ambition was to serve in Afghanistan and he had a keen rivalry with his brother, Dean, who serves in the army.

Mr Foster's commanding officer, group captain Andy Huggett, said: "Darren had very quickly become an integral part of a close knit team, known for his reliability, dedication, loyalty and keen sense of humour".

Mr Foster joined the RAF on January 21, 2009 and was posted to the Joint Force Air Component Headquarters (JFACHQ) in High Wycombe after he graduated as a personnel (support) clerk last September. He received the best student award for his course.

The 26-year-old from Chatham, Kent volunteered to organise and take part in weekly sports sessions for the headquarters.

He loved military history and enjoyed learning about the latest operational and exercise activity.

He had also recently returned from France where he visited the D-Day Beaches in Normandy to improve his own military knowledge on the sacrifices made by his fellow countrymen in World War Two.

Mr Huggett said: “A highly respected friend and colleague of the JFACHQ and RAF High Wycombe, our prayers and thoughts are with his family and girlfriend.”