RAF personnel honoured for bravery

RAF personnel honoured for bravery

A History and Honour news article

23 Mar 10

Among the British Service personnel to be honoured for their gallantry and meritorious service in last week's Operational Awards List are six members of the Royal Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions whilst on operations in Afghanistan
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

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."..

To read about the other heroes who were justly recognised, go here.