Evzone
Corporal
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 501
The following is the citation from the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators Award for Gallantry recently given to the Basra City IRT Crew – 28 (AC) Squadron RAF. It also recounts the events leading to the award of Flt Lt Goodman's DFC, the first time the honour has been awarded to a female pilot
The Award:
Awarded to an individual, or crew of an aircraft, in any field of aviation for an outstanding act of gallantry. It is intended that this should be awarded on rare occasions for any act considered worthy of the award as soon as the facts of the event are clear. Awarded at the discretion of the Master and on the advice of the Trophies and Awards Committee.
The Citation:
At 23.15 hrs on 1 June 2007, the Incident Reaction Team (IRT) based at Basra Air Station was alerted that there was a serious casualty following a mortar attack on an isolated British location in the centre of Basra City.
Landing an aircraft at the location was assessed to be very high risk. Intelligence reports had indicated a arge, ‘spectacular’ attack would occur somewhere in Basra, with a helicopter being a possible target. Alert to the high risk, but being fully conscious of the importance of providing unfailing support to ground forces, Flt Lt Goodman and her crew of the Merlin
helicopter commenced an expeditious, very low-level transit and approach to an unfamiliar and dangerous landing site, whilst under intense enemy direct and indirect fire. Despite a complex approach, with numerous obstructions and ambient conditions on the limit of aviation operations, the crew executed a landing with few visual references bringing the aircraft in next to the casualty. The medics and Aviation Reaction Force left the aircraft as four mortar rounds landed in and around the location.
Despite this the crew elected to hold the aircraft on the ground as the option with least risk. A top cover Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter was by now reporting several substantial explosions in the area. With the casualties loaded, the crew departed the site just as further explosions occurred in close vicinity to the aircraft and with the aircraft’s path covered by very close friendly artillery fire, to distract enemy forces. The aircraft landed at the British Field Hospital, just 14 minutes after launch. Many IRT sorties are high risk.
However, on this occasion the crew had to instantly weigh up the risk of losing the aircraft against the importance of recovering a serious casualty, which has an impact on morale throughout the Coalition. Without the IRT, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes. Despite extreme pressure, the crew made the right decision displaying determination and selflessness on a bold and daring sortie which undoubtedly saved life.
For her outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy, Flt Lt Goodman was awarded the DFC, the first time the honour has been awarded to a female pilot. In recognition of their collective actions, the 28(Army Co-Operation) Squadron IRT crew, consisting of Flt Lt Michelle Goodman, Flt Lt George Williams, Sergeant Chris Parker and Sergeant Steve Thomas, are collectively awarded the Guild Award for Gallantry.
The Award:
Awarded to an individual, or crew of an aircraft, in any field of aviation for an outstanding act of gallantry. It is intended that this should be awarded on rare occasions for any act considered worthy of the award as soon as the facts of the event are clear. Awarded at the discretion of the Master and on the advice of the Trophies and Awards Committee.
The Citation:
At 23.15 hrs on 1 June 2007, the Incident Reaction Team (IRT) based at Basra Air Station was alerted that there was a serious casualty following a mortar attack on an isolated British location in the centre of Basra City.
Landing an aircraft at the location was assessed to be very high risk. Intelligence reports had indicated a arge, ‘spectacular’ attack would occur somewhere in Basra, with a helicopter being a possible target. Alert to the high risk, but being fully conscious of the importance of providing unfailing support to ground forces, Flt Lt Goodman and her crew of the Merlin
helicopter commenced an expeditious, very low-level transit and approach to an unfamiliar and dangerous landing site, whilst under intense enemy direct and indirect fire. Despite a complex approach, with numerous obstructions and ambient conditions on the limit of aviation operations, the crew executed a landing with few visual references bringing the aircraft in next to the casualty. The medics and Aviation Reaction Force left the aircraft as four mortar rounds landed in and around the location.
Despite this the crew elected to hold the aircraft on the ground as the option with least risk. A top cover Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter was by now reporting several substantial explosions in the area. With the casualties loaded, the crew departed the site just as further explosions occurred in close vicinity to the aircraft and with the aircraft’s path covered by very close friendly artillery fire, to distract enemy forces. The aircraft landed at the British Field Hospital, just 14 minutes after launch. Many IRT sorties are high risk.
However, on this occasion the crew had to instantly weigh up the risk of losing the aircraft against the importance of recovering a serious casualty, which has an impact on morale throughout the Coalition. Without the IRT, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes. Despite extreme pressure, the crew made the right decision displaying determination and selflessness on a bold and daring sortie which undoubtedly saved life.
For her outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy, Flt Lt Goodman was awarded the DFC, the first time the honour has been awarded to a female pilot. In recognition of their collective actions, the 28(Army Co-Operation) Squadron IRT crew, consisting of Flt Lt Michelle Goodman, Flt Lt George Williams, Sergeant Chris Parker and Sergeant Steve Thomas, are collectively awarded the Guild Award for Gallantry.