Ministry of Defence
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RAF personnel honoured for service on operations
184 members of the Armed Forces are honoured today for their courage and professionalism on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.
Five Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, five Distinguished Service Orders, 28 Military Crosses, and three Distinguished Flying Crosses will be awarded in the honours for the period 1st April 2007 to 30th September 2007.
Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman becomes the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for her bravery in Basra.
Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence, said today:
"Our servicemen and women risk their lives on operations every day, and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate those honoured today and to thank them for their tireless service to our country.
"These men and women are a credit to the Armed Forces. Many of them have displayed courage beyond the call of duty and all of them have shown unstinting dedication. We owe thanks to them all and to their families for their invaluable support and commitment to the Armed Forces."
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, today said:
"The Service personnel that we honour today have all distinguished themselves - many in the face of great danger - and some have risked their own lives to save others. They have all earned the nation's thanks and respect, and I pay tribute to their outstanding achievements in the face of most difficult and dangerous circumstances."
Amongst the RAF personnel honoured for service in Afghanistan are:
Wing Commander Kenneth Lewis, Royal Air Force, receives the Distinguished Flying Cross. Lewis displayed outstanding leadership, selfless dedication and an unsurpassed desire to achieve his mission whilst commanding No 1 (fighter) squadron. His engineers provided sufficient serviceable aircraft to meet 100% of the missions tasked, successfully flying over 800 sorties. Lewis pioneered the introduction into operational service of the Harrier GR9 aircraft and the SNIPER advanced targeting pod. Among other achievements, he also successfully prosecuted a rocket attack on insurgents who were just 30 metres away from a friendly forces position that was about to be overrun.
Flight Lieutenant Karl Colehouse, Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, receives the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service. Although primarily working as part of a small specialist team Colehouse is awarded for his additional work, steadfast leadership, exceptional professionalism and devotion to duty as a nurse.
Amongst the RAF personnel honoured for service in Iraq are:
Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, of the Royal Air Force, is the first woman to win a Distinguished Flying Cross. Goodman was Aircraft Captain of an Incident Reaction Team (IRT) Merlin Helicopter. Told of a serious casualty in central Basra City on 1st 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. Despite extreme pressure, whilst in the face of the enemy, she made the right decision.
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.
Flight Sergeant Ann Carter, of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, receives an MBE. Carter displayed inspirational leadership, steadfast professionalism and unwavering commitment throughout an enormously challenging series of tours. With scant regard for personal cost her performance has been beyond the call of duty.
Senior Aircraftsman Benjamin Wharton, of the Royal Air Force, receives a Mention in Dispatches. Wharton demonstrated the highest levels of courage, coolness, presence of mind and dogged determination during Operation TELIC, without him the outcomes of two difficult and dangerous incidents could have been far different.
Senior Aircraftsman James Stinson, Royal Air Force, receives the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Following a rocket attack and faced with a horrendous situation, Stinson, despite suffering terrible burns to his feet attempted to free his colleagues refusing medical treatment until the injured members of B Flight had been evacuated.
Squadron Leader Jason Paul Sutton, Royal Air Force, receives an OBE. Sutton confounded the most diverse, complex and dangerous challenges and provided a safe and secure area around Basra Air Station. He is awarded for his intellectual prowess, sheer force of will, highly developed professional competence, and compassionate leadership.
Warrant Officer Robert Hargreaves, Royal Air Force, receives the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service. Hargreaves single-handedly kept the 903 Expeditionary Air Wing at the peak of operational efficiency and inspired all around with his energy, enthusiasm and leadership in the most demanding conditions.
Sergeant John Bainbridge, Royal Air Force, receives the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Bainbridge's selfless and heroic actions undoubtedly saved the life of a trapped man. His was a magnificent example of courage and determination in the face of great personal danger.
Notes to Editors
1. The full list of honours is attached. Awards to members of the Armed Forces are published on Friday 7th March 2008 in the London Gazette. The ranks and other personal details shown are those current at the time the awards were recommended.
2. Photographs and further information from the media facility at 43 Brigade on Thursday 6th March will be available on the Defence News Imagery database at http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk and details will be available on the MoD website at http://www.mod.uk after the publication of the honours list on Friday 7th March.
3. Photographs and further information from the RAF's media facility on Friday 7th March will also be published on the Defence News Imagery database and the MoD website.
