The soldiers are from the Royal Anglian Regiment
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The three British soldiers killed by US "friendly fire" in southern Afghanistan have been officially named.
Privates Aaron McClure, 19, Robert Foster, also 19, and John Thrumble, 21, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died on Thursday.
They had been on patrol in Helmand province when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb bomb killing them, and injuring two other soldiers.
The US State Department has begun an investigation into their deaths.
The soldiers had been taking part in a fighting patrol to disrupt Taleban activity to the north west of Kajaki.
They came under attack from Taleban insurgents and in a firefight that followed, close air support was called in from two US F15 aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said.
Colleagues and family members have been paying tribute to the three who lost their lives.
Pte Foster's family said: "To us, Robert was the most wonderful son; he was the life and soul of the party, and had a very loving and caring nature."
Stephen Thrumble, father of Pte Thrumble who came from Chelmsford, Essex, said his family were very proud of him.
"John was well-known and well-loved by all that knew him," he said.
Pte McClure was "a bright, happy, handsome lad who would do anything for anyone", his family said.
Courage
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver described Pte Thrumble, who joined the army in 2004, as inspirational and "one of the mainstays" in the battalion.
"Proven in combat on countless occasions - his raw courage and ability to raise a smile were invaluable in these testing times," he said.
Of Pte Foster, from, Harlow, Essex, Lt Col Carver said he had "seemingly limitless reserves of courage and strength of character way beyond his years".
"He had a rare quality of always seeing the bright side of any situation and a mischievous sense of humour which made him hugely popular."
Pte McClure, from Ipswich, was, said Lt Col Carver, already a veteran of over 40 engagements with the enemy.
"Loyal, hard working and highly professional, he constantly surpassed the standards expected, and his loss is a bitter blow to the whole battalion."
Nato's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has said it will be coordinating the investigation.
Chief spokesman for the Nato force, Colonel Martin Schelleis, told a news conference there were daily operations involving air support for ground troops.
"Although it's very tragic to have an accident like that, it is a very, very rare case that it happens," he said.
On Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo said troops from the dead soldiers' company were continuing their tasks in the area.
US saddened
The US State Department's Kurt Volker said in a statement the US was "deeply saddened" by the death of the soldiers and the "tragic incident" would be thoroughly investigated with British allies.
BBC Kabul correspondent Alastair Leithead said the investigation would focus on the breakdown in communications between ground and air forces.
There has only been one other suspected case of British service personnel being killed by US friendly fire in Afghanistan, but it is still under investigation.
An inquiry was launched in December 2006 into the death of marine Jonathan Wigley, 21, killed during an intense battle in Helmand province.
The three deaths on Thursday mean the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 73. Fifty have been killed in action.
The Royal Anglians have been one of the regiments hardest hit by the fighting in Afghanistan - nine of its soldiers have been killed.
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