Queen gives RAF Chinook pilot DFC for Afghan heroism

Flt Lt Charlie Lockyear, from Teignmouth has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the Queen at Windsor Castle.

He was awarded the honours for his extreme courage and bravery during a mission in Afghanistan in May 2013. The 35 year old of 18 (B) Squadron based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, was dropping off troops when his Chinook helicopter came under fire and was badly damaged. He aborted the drop off but returned to the site to pick up troops left behind and facing insurgents. With no GPS or flying instruments and despite the troops being heavily camouflaged, they were found and Flt Lt Lockyear flew the aircraft back to Camp Bastion’s hospital, where the injured were treated.

Flt Lt Lockyear said "It was a remarkably easy decision to make because you know you've got a small group of guys stuck in a field and you know for a fact they are under contact (with the enemy)”

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Photo courtesy of Ray Tang,REX