Chinook pilots awarded DFC's
May 30, 2007 13:34:55 GMT 1
Post by rampvan on May 30, 2007 13:34:55 GMT 1
Three Chinook pilots recieved DFC 's last week inrecognition of their bravery in Afghanistan recently, they are a credit to our armed forces
Flight Lieutenant Craig Wilson, an RAF Chinook pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'exceptional courage and outstanding airmanship' while operating in Helmand Province.
On the night of 11 June 2006 he was tasked to recover a casualty from a Landing Site. In difficult and dangerous conditions despite having done little night flying in Afghanistan he made a precision approach and landing to extract the casualty. A few hours later on another mission in the same area he was tasked to another high risk area. Despite being low on fuel he made another difficult landing before returning to base with just enough fuel to remain airborne. Then despite having been on duty for over 20 hours he volunteered to deliver reinforcements to help a threatening ground situation. His gallantry and extreme and persistent courage ensured the recovery of two badly wounded soldiers and played a vital role in saving their lives.
Flight Lieutenant Christopher Hasler, also an RAF Chinook pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'displaying great courage and composure in a most demanding and high risk environment' while operating in Helmand Province.
On 7 July 2006 Flt Lt Hasler while operating in the Sangin area elected to land in an 'unlikely site' to achieve surprise in an area where the enemy were operating. Delivering stores and troops he landed in a site surrounded on three sides by buildings. To allow another aircraft into the site he was required to position the spinning rotor blades just above a single story rooftop – any error would have almost certainly resulted in catastrophic damage to the aircraft. On 14 July on another sortie Flt Lt Hasler demonstrated tremendous bravery and commitment when skilfully landing his aircraft while under small arms and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack thus allowing troops to disembark and reinforce other ground troops already under significant threat from Taliban forces.
Major Mark Hammond, a Royal Marine Chinook pilot serving with the RAF received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'inspirational command of his crew and his superior flying skills' while also operating in Helmand Province.
On the night of 6 September 2006 he was tasked to effect a casualty rescue from Sangin. While carrying out the evacuation his aircraft was engaged by rifles and machine gun fire which he managed to avoid by skilful flying. On completion of that task he was then sent to Musa Qala for another casualty evacuation but on this occasion his aircraft sustained a number of hits and he had to abort the mission. On return to Camp Bastion, without hesitation he climbed into a spare aircraft and returned to Musa Qala successfully landing and extracting the casualty despite further machine gun and RPG attacks directed towards him and his crew. Major Hammond remained calm and dedicated throughout all three incidents which would have been sufficient to shake most men.
Flight Lieutenant Craig Wilson, an RAF Chinook pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'exceptional courage and outstanding airmanship' while operating in Helmand Province.
On the night of 11 June 2006 he was tasked to recover a casualty from a Landing Site. In difficult and dangerous conditions despite having done little night flying in Afghanistan he made a precision approach and landing to extract the casualty. A few hours later on another mission in the same area he was tasked to another high risk area. Despite being low on fuel he made another difficult landing before returning to base with just enough fuel to remain airborne. Then despite having been on duty for over 20 hours he volunteered to deliver reinforcements to help a threatening ground situation. His gallantry and extreme and persistent courage ensured the recovery of two badly wounded soldiers and played a vital role in saving their lives.
Flight Lieutenant Christopher Hasler, also an RAF Chinook pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'displaying great courage and composure in a most demanding and high risk environment' while operating in Helmand Province.
On 7 July 2006 Flt Lt Hasler while operating in the Sangin area elected to land in an 'unlikely site' to achieve surprise in an area where the enemy were operating. Delivering stores and troops he landed in a site surrounded on three sides by buildings. To allow another aircraft into the site he was required to position the spinning rotor blades just above a single story rooftop – any error would have almost certainly resulted in catastrophic damage to the aircraft. On 14 July on another sortie Flt Lt Hasler demonstrated tremendous bravery and commitment when skilfully landing his aircraft while under small arms and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack thus allowing troops to disembark and reinforce other ground troops already under significant threat from Taliban forces.
Major Mark Hammond, a Royal Marine Chinook pilot serving with the RAF received the Distinguished Flying Cross for 'inspirational command of his crew and his superior flying skills' while also operating in Helmand Province.
On the night of 6 September 2006 he was tasked to effect a casualty rescue from Sangin. While carrying out the evacuation his aircraft was engaged by rifles and machine gun fire which he managed to avoid by skilful flying. On completion of that task he was then sent to Musa Qala for another casualty evacuation but on this occasion his aircraft sustained a number of hits and he had to abort the mission. On return to Camp Bastion, without hesitation he climbed into a spare aircraft and returned to Musa Qala successfully landing and extracting the casualty despite further machine gun and RPG attacks directed towards him and his crew. Major Hammond remained calm and dedicated throughout all three incidents which would have been sufficient to shake most men.