A bomb disposal specialist who had defused more than 60 improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan died when one went off as he tried to disarm it.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, was on his last day before two weeks of rest and recuperation after a five-month tour in charge of an improvised explosive device (IED) search team in Helmand province. He was due back there next month.

He died instantly when an IED that he was examining by the British forward operation base in the town of Sangin exploded on Saturday. The Ministry of Defence said that Staff Sergeant Schmid had a “natural aptitude” for bomb disposal work and had passed the course to become a “high-threat operator” this year. This qualified him to work in Afghanistan, regarded as the pinnacle of a bomb disposal specialist’s career.

He deployed to the country in June, and had rendered safe 64 IEDs. The Army has lost another experienced bomb disposal specialist this year. Captain Daniel Shepard, of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, was killed in Helmand in July. Staff Sergeant “Oz” Schmid joined the Army in 1996. He lived with his wife, Christina, and stepson, Laird, 5, in Winchester. His wife said: “Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day before two weeks off after a relentless five-month tour.

“He was my best friend and soulmate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, to which Staff Sergeant Schmid was attached, described him as “simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met”. He said: “Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. I adored working with him. No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions. He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary battle group.”

Colonel Thomson added: “Superlatives do not do the man justice. Better than the best. Better than the best of the best.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Gareth Bex,commanding officer of the Counter-IED Task Force of the Royal Logistic Corps, said: “Staff Sergeant Oz Schmid was a brilliant operator and a superb soldier. We loved him like a brother. He was a much adored member of our close-knit family. The Army has been robbed of a superb talent.”

Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, said that Staff Sergeant Schmid’s “bravery, skill and selfless commitment undoubtedly saved lives”.

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