Exceptional contribution to aviation by 5 Regt AAC
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Exceptional contribution to aviation by 5 Regt AAC
The Sir Barnes Wallis Medal
Awarded in recognition of an exceptional contribution to aviation.
Awarded to: 5 REGIMENT ARMY AIR CORPS
Represented by Lt Col Andrew Gossage and WO1(RSM) A Adamson
Citation:
The Army Air Corps (AAC) has been deployed on operational flying duties in Northern Ireland (NI) continuously since 1969, alongside Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm helicopter units. For much of that time it consisted of a small resident cadre, reinforced by two AAC or Royal Marine roulement squadrons based in UK or Germany. Since 1990 the regiment has been manned exclusively by personnel resident in NI.
The challenging nature of flying operations in NI has required the AAC to operate on the cusp of safe weather, aircraft endurance, human factors and other operating conditions. It has supported land force, coastal patrol and Special Forces operations in all areas of the Province, throughout every day and night for the past 37 years. It has made a substantial contribution to operations in which terrorists were captured, arms and explosives seized, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) discovered and defused and military and civilian casualties evacuated, in addition to the routine activities of daily life in the province. During this time 11 aircrew have lost their lives, seven aircraft have been lost and AAC units in the Province have accumulated more than 700,000 flying hours on anti- terrorist operations.
The AAC in NI, represented today by the permanently resident 5 Regiment AAC, has also been at the forefront of the design, development and operational deployment of many new procedures and equipments. Many of these are now in widespread use by a variety of national and international agencies. They include:
For the Army Air Corps’ exceptional contribution to NI military operations on land, at sea and in the air over the past 37 years, the development of what is now essential airborne equipment for many national and international agencies, and for the exceptional commitment of its aircrew and ground crew during this lengthy operational period, 5 Regiment AAC is awarded of the Sir Barnes Wallis Medal.
The challenging nature of flying operations in NI has required the AAC to operate on the cusp of safe weather, aircraft endurance, human factors and other operating conditions. It has supported land force, coastal patrol and Special Forces operations in all areas of the Province, throughout every day and night for the past 37 years. It has made a substantial contribution to operations in which terrorists were captured, arms and explosives seized, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) discovered and defused and military and civilian casualties evacuated, in addition to the routine activities of daily life in the province. During this time 11 aircrew have lost their lives, seven aircraft have been lost and AAC units in the Province have accumulated more than 700,000 flying hours on anti- terrorist operations.
The AAC in NI, represented today by the permanently resident 5 Regiment AAC, has also been at the forefront of the design, development and operational deployment of many new procedures and equipments. Many of these are now in widespread use by a variety of national and international agencies. They include:
- Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
- Airborne Television (Helitele)
- Airborne infra-red, false colour and other photographic equipment
For the Army Air Corps’ exceptional contribution to NI military operations on land, at sea and in the air over the past 37 years, the development of what is now essential airborne equipment for many national and international agencies, and for the exceptional commitment of its aircrew and ground crew during this lengthy operational period, 5 Regiment AAC is awarded of the Sir Barnes Wallis Medal.
The Medal was presented at the Guildhall, London.
More details here: Trophies & Awards Banquet
Other awards here: Awards
Link: Guild of Air Pilots
(Picture © Gerald Sharp Photography)
