Thrice Flew His Chinook Into Harm's Way

A Royal Navy helicopter pilot who repeatedly braved enemy fire to save the lives of British troops wounded in Afghanistan received his Distinguished Flying Cross from Queen Elizabeth II, at ceremony this week at Buckingham Palace.

Lieutenant Nichol James Emslie Benzie, 34, was a member of the Joint Helicopter Force in Afghanistan in November last year. He was the captain of an RAF Chinook helicopter when he evacuated casualties on two successive days, as well as re-supplying ground forces with ammunition on the second occasion.

On November, 9 2007, a patrol through the Sangin Valley in Helmand Province came under fire seriously injuring two of the patrol. Lt. Benzie's Chinook was launched to evacuate the casualties, but was held off for an hour by heavy enemy machine gun and anti-aircraft fire.

With daylight fading and time running out for the rescue operation, Benzie decided to take his aircraft in despite the ferocious fire. With close air support, he demonstrated exceptional skill by landing his aircraft in a small area between crops while avoiding enemy positions. The casualties were successfully extracted, despite the Chinook being engaged with small arms fire as it left the area.

The following day, Benzie's Chinook was in action again -- resupplying ground forces with badly-needed ammunition in the same area, and to evacuate more casualties. The underslung load meant that he had to approach the landing site at very low level and with reduced maneuverability, heightening the risk to his aircraft.

The ammunition was delivered... but enemy fire forced the Chinook, engulfed by clouds of dust, to depart rapidly without embarking all the injured. Despite low light and the continuing enemy threat, Benzie later returned to carry out a textbook recovery of the remaining wounded.

"In recovering seriously injured casualties on successive days in the most demanding environmental conditions and in the face of such intense enemy activity, Lt Benzie showed exceptional courage, inspirational leadership and flying ability of the highest order," reads the lieutenant's citation. "His gallant actions undoubtedly saved lives and deserves recognition."

Among those attending Thursday's ceremony was Benzie and his fiancee, Dr. Amelia Bolgar, as well as his parents, Michael and Jiffy. Also there was a fellow crew member in the Chinook at the time, Flight Lieutenant Al Sparkes RAF.

On receiving his award, Lt. Benzie said "I am absolutely delighted and honored to receive the highest award specifically for flying duties. I feel I am accepting it on behalf of the three other crew members of my aircraft."

It is the second time that Lt Benzie has received an award. He was Mention in Dispatches for his leading role as Operations Officer of the Chinook Squadron, part of the Joint Helicopter Force in Afghanistan, during a major air assault on a Taliban stronghold in 2006.

Lt Benzie joined the Royal Navy in 1997 after being educated at Cranleigh School near Guildford and Exeter University.

FMI: www.royal-navy.mod.uk