Lieutenant Nichol Benzie, RN DFC
A pat on the back for you and your crew.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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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.
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.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Very well done chap!
Very serious look though!
Story in the News Here,
Raf Chief Flies In To Hail Airmen (from This is Hampshire)
Very serious look though!
Story in the News Here,
Raf Chief Flies In To Hail Airmen (from This is Hampshire)
Last edited by VinRouge; 27th Jul 2008 at 05:13.
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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:
Still a job well done, though.
This is the only line to mention him:
Lieutenant Nichol Benzie, 32, will also receive a MiD for his gallantry.
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).
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).
Join Date: Apr 2003
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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 mate!
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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.............
I will go after rolling that fizzing cabbage in!
I will go after rolling that fizzing cabbage in!
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Yeah, you're OFF all right!!
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.
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.
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Chaps,
Cheers for your kind words.
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.
Cheers for your kind words.
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.
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I apologize to the forum at large for letting someone drag me into negativity on a congratulatory thread for a brave man.
Sorry, and again, well done Lt Benzie and all the others mentioned.
And all those of all nations making a difference with actions, not just words.
Sorry, and again, well done Lt Benzie and all the others mentioned.
And all those of all nations making a difference with actions, not just words.
Join Date: May 2006
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Total respect
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.
Stay safe you lot
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.
Stay safe you lot
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.
Many congrats mate; it was good to work with you in the past and I that hope our paths cross again.
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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.
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.
Congratulations, Nichol, it was a pleasure working with you and having to share bunk with you out there!
I haven't seen a link to the operational honours and awards anywhere else so I'm sure Nichol won't mind me posting a link. Ministry of Defence | Defence News | History and Honour | Operational Honours and Awards List: 25 July 2008
I haven't seen a link to the operational honours and awards anywhere else so I'm sure Nichol won't mind me posting a link. Ministry of Defence | Defence News | History and Honour | Operational Honours and Awards List: 25 July 2008
Last edited by chinook240; 30th Jul 2008 at 21:11.