MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (037/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 7
March 2008
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.