RAF personnel honoured for bravery

The RAF personnel, who come from various stations across the UK, have been honoured for their bravery and service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and in Search and Rescue missions around the UK.

The highest honour for the RAF went to Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal, aged 29, currently stationed at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, who was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions whilst on operations in Afghanistan in July 2009.

Flt Lt Heal was the Captain of the Chinook helicopter Immediate Response Team (IRT) during Operation PANTHER'S CLAW.

Based at Camp Bastion, he commanded eight IRT missions and was regularly tasked into areas with a very significant enemy threat. His citation states that:

"He consistently demonstrated exceptional levels of professional ability, combined with unflinching courage throughout, successfully extracting 29 casualties from the battlefield and delivering them into medical care.

"Throughout this most intense operational period, his superior flying skills, inspirational command of his crew and calmness under fire set an outstanding example of gallantry, professionalism and courage that undoubtedly saved lives."

Also recognised for his actions as the aircraft commander on the Chinook IRT at Camp Bastion between May and June 2009 was Flight Lieutenant David Grindal who at the time was also based at RAF Odiham.

Flt Lt Grindal's outstanding gallantry and airmanship, faultless command of his crew, and courage to make a series of incredibly difficult decisions whilst under enemy fire has been rewarded with a Mention in Despatches (MiD).

Aged 35, Flt Lt Grindal and his crew conducted a total of six medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions over the period which resulted in 11 casualties being recovered to the Camp Bastion hospital.

During one of these MEDEVAC sorties his aircraft was hit by multiple small arms fire, forcing him to take evasive action which saved his aircraft and all those on board.

Also awarded a MiD was Flight Lieutenant Adrian Parkinson, also from RAF Odiham, who at age 31 led a multi-national formation of Chinooks in support of Afghanistan operations and demonstrated outstanding leadership, gallantry and calmness under repeated enemy fire.

As the formation leader, Flt Lt Parkinson was instrumental in the successful planning and execution of a night-time troop insertion.

As the multi-aircraft formation made its way to the target, all aircraft came under varying periods of sustained enemy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack, narrowly avoiding being hit.

After the first, relatively uneventful, insertion Flt Lt Parkinson regrouped his formation and initiated the second drop-off.

In the company of three other UK Chinooks they began to clear off troops when they came under a co-ordinated small arms and RPG attack.

In the knowledge that all the troops must be allowed to disembark, Flt Lt Parkinson held his aircraft on the ground for vital seconds whilst still under enemy fire. He then held the formation on the ground just long enough to ensure all aircraft got airborne in a prebriefed and deconflicted manner.

29-year-old Search and Rescue (SAR) winchman/paramedic Sergeant Keith Best was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air for his heroic actions throughout the Lake District floods in Cockermouth during November 2009.

After rescuing many survivors over many hours from confined areas and chest-deep floodwaters, Sgt Best was determined to assist in the recovery of a family trapped on the upper floor of a house in the flooded main street.

The four occupants were trapped by rising floodwaters, which were threatening to wash away the building's foundations, whilst the sole window could not be opened more than a few inches.

Sgt Best, attached by a cable to a Sea King helicopter, swiftly assessed the situation and, realising time was now critical, he had no option other than to attempt to force the window open, but without any leverage, tools or implements, he was obliged to smash the window by punching through the glass using only his gloved hands.

Despite sustaining hand injuries he gained access to the upper floor and was then forced to balance precariously on a narrow window ledge as the rapidly-moving floodwaters tore through the street below whilst he detached the cable.

He calmly reassured the four occupants before winching them to the safety of the hovering Sea King above. His citation stated:

"Despite only having been on the SAR Force at RAF Valley, North Wales, for two months, and having limited operational experience, Keith's performance was outstandingly brave and determined."

As the Commander of Joint Force Support in Afghanistan during late 2008 until mid-2009, Air Commodore Kenneth O'Dea, aged 50, currently stationed at RAF High Wycombe, was responsible for a very wide range of supporting functions to match the rising scale and intensity of operations.

From a modest start, Air Cdre O'Dea generated a bespoke logistics head office in Woolwich, moved to Afghanistan, and delivered results in the most demanding of environments.

His performance as a commander has been inspirational and his efforts have greatly improved the support to operations, and for this contribution he has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS).

Also receiving a QCVS was 30-year-old Flight Lieutenant John McFadden, a former aircraft technician, who joined 230 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, in August 2008 and is now stationed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

Flt Lt McFadden began his fourth deployment to Iraq on the Baghdad Helicopter Detachment, a Puma detachment charged with providing mobility between Baghdad Airport and central Baghdad.

He made a key contribution to UK helicopter operations in Iraq as both Detachment Commander and mentor to new helicopter crews.

The Baghdad Helicopter Detachment expanded to almost double its size to support the enduring British Military Training Mission in Iraq and Flt Lt McFadden was instrumental in ensuring this transition ran smoothly.

His achievements were made in the most demanding and hostile parts of Iraq and through his exceptional leadership, judgement and inspired actions he increased the capability of the UK Helicopter Detachment in Baghdad.

Read more about those honoured in the latest operational honours and awards list at Related News.