Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2006, Private Damien Jackson, from The 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained during a firefight with Taliban forces in Sangin, central Helmand Province. The incident occurred during a security patrol to clear a Helicopter landing site. Private Jackson had become an extremely experienced and reliable Paratrooper, and had previously served in Northern Ireland and Iraq. He was also a team medic, had shown a keen interest in becoming a combat medic, and had been recommended for promotion to Lance Corporal. His father paid this tribute: "I wish everyone to know just how extremely proud I am of my son Damien - of all that he has achieved in his lifetime and of the fact that he died, when duty called, protecting others, in the service of his country. A fine, upstanding South Shields lad, Damien was immensely proud to have achieved his ultimate ambition in becoming a member of the finest regiment in the British Army. He will be missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. My family and I are desolated at this news but we will strive to seek inspiration from the example of his courage. We fully support the British Army in Afghanistan whilst in no way supporting or condoning a government policy which has placed our young men and women in such dreadful danger." Damien, from South Shields, was 19 years old.