Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
Well done Nichol - you actually earned it your first time out there but it got lost in the noise!
As to Nichol coming to the light blue - what would you do? Go back to flying robin reliants that the customer takes as a last choice (not through people but through capability) or come across and continue the outstanding work in an aircraft and Joint team that is actually doing something.
I hope that he stays with us - but I would say that to 90% of the Junglies that I have worked with over the years.
Big respect Nichol and to the rest of your guys that were part of the team.
Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but... the article lists 3 DFCs... none to Nichol Benzie.
This is the only line to mention him:
Quote:
Lieutenant Nichol Benzie, 32, will also receive a MiD for his gallantry.
Still a job well done, though.
Quote:
The three awarded the DFC include Flight Lieutenant Chris Hasler, 26, a Chinook pilot. Flight Lieutenant Craig Wilson, 31, was the pilot of a Chinook in the Helmand Province. Royal Marine Major Mark Hammond, 39, was also awarded the DFC.
Sergeant Daniel Baxter, 27, a Chinook loadmaster, will receive the MiD for his bravery in Sangin. Sergeant Graham Jones, 32, a Chinook crewman, has been honoured for going beyond his duties. Lieutenant Nichol Benzie, 32, will also receive a MiD for his gallantry.
Further demonstrations of bravery in Afghanistan of Sergeant Samuel Hannant, 28, and Sergeant Darrell Harding, 37, both of 18 Squadron, and Flight Sergeant Andrew Welham-Jones and Flight Lieutenant Glen Militis, of 27 Squadron, will be recognised with a Joint Commander's Commendation (JCC).
Nichol got the MiD for his work in 2006/7 on 18(B) Sqn Chinooks as the Naval exchange officer and he has received the DFC for his work on the same Sqn in 2007/2008. They were separate awards. the DFC has only just been announced. Well done mate!
Well done, indeed, to Nichol and to big bald bootneck Mark as well. Seems like the Junglies have to fly with someone else to get recognition for their endevours these days.............
The question was raised about the actions that earned Lt Benzie his DFC, and VinRouge linked an article to explain what those actions were.
That article made no specific mention of his actions and only listed his MID!
Therefore, since I lack your god-like knowledge of everything in the universe, I thought a mistake had been made with which award Lt Benzie had actually been honored.
I now know, thanks to PTC REMF's helpful (something you apparently know nothing of how to do) response, that he was later awarded the DFC... the details of his actions which earned it remain unexplained in this forum.
I find it most amusing that the fella who started this thread was actually keeping a watchful eye overhead the crew on the day in question. Thanks for looking after us! Hope all is well.
Just got to express my admiration for all those mentioned in the news article link. Like a lot of folks, I question just what the hell we are doing in thses dusty places and bitterly resent the loss of so many decent people. However, my respect for our service people is total. I might also add that I find this to be the case with most folks I speak to.
What is so amazing to me, is the sheer volume of reports of such selfless bravery. You lads & lasses are a fantastic example to us all and all I can say is that this government doesn't deserve to have such quality at its disposal.
I think the confusion which seems to be apparent is that the newspaper article which was in the link is at least 18mths old. Nichol's DFC is new news. Many congrats mate; it was good to work with you in the past and I that hope our paths cross again.
Yeah cheers GreenKnight, thought you might take it that way. But if you read your original post you might see why I felt I needed to put it that way. Try reading your post from the other perspective.
That said, it appears we are bitching about nothing as we are all on the same side in wishing to congratulate Nichol and all other recipients of Operational awards.
A pat on the back for you and your crew.
