RAF pilot is honoured for braveryA Royal Air Force pilot who safely landed his helicopter after it had been hit by missiles in Afghanistan has been honoured for his bravery.
Flt Lt Alexander Duncan saved the life of his crew and an Afghan politician by landing the Chinook helicopter after it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The Chinook was shuttling Gulab Mangal, the governor of Helmand Province, when it was targeted.
Flt Lt Duncan, 32, from Hampshire, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Flt Lt Duncan, from Odiham, managed to fly the stricken craft out of the danger zone to safety despite having lost one hydraulic system and a large portion of a main rotor blade.
He received the medal for his "consummate professionalism" during the incident in May last year.
Damaged Chinook rotor blade [pic: MoD Crown Copyright/PA Wire]
The Chinook rotor blade was hit, along with the body of the aircraft itself
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he was flying the helicopter at "ultra low level" from Lashkar Ghar to Musa Qala when it was hit.
An MoD spokesman said: "Flt Lt Duncan was immediately aware that his aircraft had been hit due to the uncontrolled lurch of the aircraft during flight.
"Assessing that he still had sufficient control of the aircraft, he manoeuvred to clear the immediate threat area and weigh up his options.
"Having lost one hydraulic system and a large portion of a main rotor blade he decided to return to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, making a safe landing and offloading the VIP party without incident."
Six days later Flt Lt Duncan, of 27 Squadron, flew a dangerous night mission while coming under Taleban fire from rocket-propelled grenades.
An MoD spokesman said: "Flt Lt Duncan displayed consummate professionalism and strength of character.
"His actions, bravery and stoicism are worthy of formal recognition."
Source
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7931157.stm
Back to Index
Move to Top 
