The Grand Master’s Commendation
Awarded at the discretion of the Grand Master for an act of valour or outstanding services in the air.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT IAN FORTUNE DFC
Citation:
On 29 January 2010 Flight Lieutenant Fortune, a Chinook pilot, was in charge of the Immediate Response Team, part of the Joint Helicopter Force in Afghanistan. He was on his second tour but his first as an aircraft captain. Scrambled to an incident to conduct an emergency medical evacuation of six casualties with gunshot wounds, the crew were informed that two of the casualties were critical and their condition was worsening. On arrival at the scene it was discovered that the ground controller who would normally coordinate the extraction was one of the casualties. Flt Lt Fortune manoeuvred his aircraft into an emergency landing site, as close to the casualties as possible, while an Apache helicopter suppressed the insurgent firing points. Before the casualties could be loaded, the insurgents engaged with accurate fire; Flt Lt Fortune held position until all casualties were safely on board.
As the aircraft departed it was engaged again. A round came through the windscreen, hit the front of Flt Lt Fortune's helmet and shattered his visor, causing deep lacerations to his face. Although the pilot's windscreen was shattered and partly opaque, Flt Lt Fortune elected to retain control and he continued to take evasive action. The aircraft was hit a total of 8 times resulting in a series of system failures including damage to the flight stabilisation system and forward transmission. Flt Lt Fortune with confidence and inspirational composure calmly diagnosed the faults, took appropriate corrective action, briefed his intentions to his team, and kept the aircraft as stable as possible to enable the medical team to work on the casualties.
Flt Lt Fortune flew at maximum speed to the medical facility at Camp Bastion and had the presence of mind to land his heavily damaged aircraft on the side of the landing site so as not to block it. Only once the casualties were then offloaded and, the aircraft shut down, did he accept medical attention. All of the casualties survived and the assessment of the doctors was that one of them would have died had he not been evacuated in such a timely fashion.
During this incident, Flt Lt Fortune displayed extreme professionalism and airmanship. His actions saved the life of at least one of the casualties and probably prevented the loss of his aircraft, with all on board. His remarkable courage, composure and selflessness are wholly deserving of appropriate recognition and Flt Lt Fortune is accordingly awarded the Grand Master’s Commendation.
The Commendation was formally presented at the Guild's annual 'Trophies and Awards Banquet' at the London Guildhall at the end of last month.
GAPAN - The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators
Patron: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Grand Master: HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York
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