Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Sergeant Rachael Louise ROBINSON, Royal Air Force
The Master's Medal 2013
Sergeant Rachael Robinson RAF
Citation:
Winch woman Sergeant Rachael Robinson was a member of the crew of Rescue 169, the duty RAF search and rescue helicopter from A Flight, 22 Squadron, called to rescue a crewman from a 25 metre French fishing vessel, “Alf” in the Irish Sea on Thursday 21st March 2013. The crewman had serious head injuries and his condition was deteriorating.
The Alf was pitching and rolling violently, climbing and descending vertically 40 feet with each swell and rolling violently. The 35 knot wind whipped up spray and the sheeting rain further hampered visibility. The Alf’s captain spoke very little English, so a 3 way translation service was arranged via satellite phone involving English and French Coastguards and the crew of Rescue 169 to brief the French captain about how the RAF helicopter crew intended to get the crewman off the fishing boat.
Winch woman Robinson made 6 separate, hazardous descents on the winch-wire in an attempt to reach the Alf’s tiny deck. So violent were the seas that Rachael was repeatedly snatched from the heaving deck as the boat plunged into wave troughs faster than the winch cable could be paid out.
After three winching attempts, the Sea King was running out of fuel, so a swift refuel was arranged at Haverfordwest to prepare for a second attempt. It took three further attempts before Flight Lieutenant ‘Taff’ Wilkins – the Sea King’s captain – eventually calculated the lift to the optimum second, climbing his Sea King as the Alf reached the top of a swell, plucking Rachael and the casualty clear of the deck. The casualty was treated en-route for head injuries and hypothermia and was taken to Swansea Moriston Hospital. It was entirely due to the actions of the crew of rescue 169 and Rachael Robinson’s incredible fortitude that the injured crewman survived.
Sgt Robinson will receive her Master's Medal at the Guild's annual Trophies and Awards Banquet to be held in the Great Hall of London's historic Guildhall on the 23rd October.
The Banquet will be attended by HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York, Grand Master of the Guild. Official guests include leading figures in aviation from around the world.
The Banquet is open to all Guild members and their guests.
Closing date for applications to attend:
Friday 4th October
For more information and a downloadable Application Form click the Guild badge
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Tudor Owen
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