Operational Honours and Awards
Yes, Him
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Operational Honours and Awards
"The INTRODUCER"
Some stories behind them
If you were there then you've heard them - pretty awe-inspiring stuff for the rest of us.
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All worthy of massive respect, but 2 stand out.
Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, of the Royal Air Force, is the first woman to win a Distinguished Flying Cross. She was Aircraft Captain of an Incident Reaction Team (IRT) Merlin Helicopter. Told of a serious casualty in central Basra City on 1 June 2007, she chose to fly into an extremely dangerous area. Flying on night goggles and under very heavy fire she landed next to the casualty and extracted him, despite mortar rounds landing nearby. Without the IRT, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes.
Corporal David Hayden, of the RAF Regiment, is the first Airman to receive the Military Cross. In a particularly ferocious battle against a determined group of insurgents, involving a fully dismounted patrol in Iraq, Hayden repeatedly showed the most outstanding courage, selflessness and personal example. With absolute disregard for his own safety he repeatedly risked his own life in order to rescue a wounded comrade and extract his combat team.
Congratulations to all.
Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, of the Royal Air Force, is the first woman to win a Distinguished Flying Cross. She was Aircraft Captain of an Incident Reaction Team (IRT) Merlin Helicopter. Told of a serious casualty in central Basra City on 1 June 2007, she chose to fly into an extremely dangerous area. Flying on night goggles and under very heavy fire she landed next to the casualty and extracted him, despite mortar rounds landing nearby. Without the IRT, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes.
Corporal David Hayden, of the RAF Regiment, is the first Airman to receive the Military Cross. In a particularly ferocious battle against a determined group of insurgents, involving a fully dismounted patrol in Iraq, Hayden repeatedly showed the most outstanding courage, selflessness and personal example. With absolute disregard for his own safety he repeatedly risked his own life in order to rescue a wounded comrade and extract his combat team.
Congratulations to all.
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Well deserved recognition for many of whom who will say
as did Pte Luke Cole MC
I didn't think I was doing anything special. I was helping my mates out like they would do for me.
Red On, Green On
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I didn't think I was doing anything special. I was helping my mates out like they would do for me. as did Pte Luke Cole MC
They are all stars. And lots of them look very young to these old eyes!
What a superb 'poster girl' for women pilots. Smart, professional, articulate, confident and impressive (and yes, attractive too). And the circumstances of her award make it clear that she's good at what she does, too. Bloody well done, Michelle.
Poor old Torps didn't look well, though.
What a superb 'poster girl' for women pilots. Smart, professional, articulate, confident and impressive (and yes, attractive too). And the circumstances of her award make it clear that she's good at what she does, too. Bloody well done, Michelle.
Poor old Torps didn't look well, though.
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Well deserved all round
Congratulations to all the recipients who showed outstanding bravery and courage wherever and whatever they were doing.
A special mention to one of our own who we are all very proud of, along with her crew that day, Flt Lt Michelle Goodman
For those that never saw the article in the Sun newspaper a few weeks back, here it is again
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle748881.ece
A special mention to one of our own who we are all very proud of, along with her crew that day, Flt Lt Michelle Goodman
For those that never saw the article in the Sun newspaper a few weeks back, here it is again
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle748881.ece
Commanding Officer of 1 Sqn RAF Regiment, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, aged 42 from Watford, received the OBE for his outstanding leadership over a relentless six-month detachment and making a safe and secure area around Basra Air Station. He lost three of his gunners on 19 July 2007 when a rocket attack struck his Squadron's accommodation. A further six were injured, but he motivated his men to continue delivering all tasks, including lethal use of snipers which struck terror into the hearts of the enemy. At Al-Waki he placed himself in the thick of the fire fight which tested his resourcefulness to the full.
Gentleman Aviator
Commanding Officer of 1 Sqn RAF Regiment, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, aged 42 from Watford, received the OBE
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I didn't see that. Well done OC 1 and I'm proud and as pleased as punch for them all. Strange to see Sunray at the sharp end, but it is the curse of an infanteer to need to test himself. Doing the drills on exercise is all very well, but (from my experience) I was racked with insecurity and the nagging need to see if I could work as advertised when the **** hit the fan, whatever happened.
1 Sqn (and 504) has certainly had a busy time and SRDG tag or not, the RAF Regiment has done itself proud over the past 5 years or so. Squadron Leader Sutton will have bittersweet thoughts today and Matthew, Peter and Christopher won't be too far from his thoughts I'm sure. Forgive me for being a little mawkish - I'm also chuffed to bits for the decoration winners.
Also;
Mention in Dispatches (MiD): SAC Wharton - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB): Sgt Bainbridge - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB): SAC Stinson - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
1 Sqn (and 504) has certainly had a busy time and SRDG tag or not, the RAF Regiment has done itself proud over the past 5 years or so. Squadron Leader Sutton will have bittersweet thoughts today and Matthew, Peter and Christopher won't be too far from his thoughts I'm sure. Forgive me for being a little mawkish - I'm also chuffed to bits for the decoration winners.
Also;
Mention in Dispatches (MiD): SAC Wharton - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB): Sgt Bainbridge - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB): SAC Stinson - 1 Sqn RAF Regt
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Enormous congratulations to all and my thoughts are with the families of those posthumous recipients.
As an aside, I noticed in the description of Flt Lt Goodman's act on the MoD website the following comments:
Perhaps a few of those low flying complainants may wish to reflect on this outstanding act which directly enabled a young life to be saved. It may perhaps place into perspective the few seconds of noise that they have to endure, and illustrate that such flying skills remain very relevant in modern ops.
Regards,
MM
As an aside, I noticed in the description of Flt Lt Goodman's act on the MoD website the following comments:
...whilst flying tactically on Night Vision Goggles at very low level across a hostile city...
Regards,
MM
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Take Note Tosser Broon
Right. Now that you can clearly see (a Noo Labour expression) just what outstanding people you've got doing your dirty work Broon, how about giving them some decent kit!
