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.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
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