Page 5 - issue19.04.2019
P. 5
Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P5
News
Chem plant raid
hero is honoured
Simon Mander
A TYPHOON Top Gun who
played a key role in a raid which
destroyed a Syrian chemical
weapons dump after more than
TURKEY
70 civilians were murdered in a
gas attack has been awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Sqn Ldr Alex Vaughan was
the lead pilot for the combat jets
formation protecting four Tornado
GR4 bombers which launched a long-
range attack using Storm Shadow
Aleppo cruise missiles to destroy the military
facility 15 miles west of Homs.
Raqqa The daring mission was executed
at night close to the sea to avoid AFTERMATH: Aid workers move bodies
detection from enemy radar, with of civilians killed in chemical attack.
surface-to-air missiles and fighter PHOTO: PA
threats targeting the formations. base, has been used to store deadly
Surprise was vital to the success materials banned under the Chemical
CYPRUS SYRIA of the unprecedented low-level raid Weapons Convention, according to
and so Vaughan led a silent departure Coalition intelligence experts.
Homs from the strike force’s base. Praising the actions of the
But just minutes from the target airman, a MoD spokesman added:
RAF Akrotiri Douma zone he suffered a malfunction that “Unfazed, he ensured the area was
safe, and once content that the
prevented him refuelling his aircraft.
Despite the setback Sqn Ldr enemy fighters no longer posed
LEBANON Vaughan, then a Flt Lt, guarded the a threat, turned to escort the IRAN
Tornados as they unleased their deadly Tornados through any potential
BAGHDAD
DAMASCUS payload before turning for home. ambush patrols on their departure.
mission,
the
At that point, at great personal
“Throughout
risk, Vaughan ordered the Typhoons Vaughan showed courage and
to shield the bombers from the most professionalism to overcome
IRAQe despite tactical challenges in a complex and
threatening enemy airbas
him and his wingman receiving in- dynamic situation.
cockpit warnings that surface-to-air “For his bravery and skill in the
missile systems were targeting them. delivery of operational excellence he is
He said: “It was a privilege to play recommended for national recognition.”
a small part in the overall success of At the time Defence Secretary
this mission, driven primarily by Gavin Williamson said: “The
ACCUSED: But the Tornado Force. reprehensible use of chemical weapons
PALESTINE Syrian President “Everyone on the squadron, in Douma is further evidence of the
Assad denies from engineers, operations support Syrian regime’s appalling cruelty
using chemical and aircrew, had a part to play in against its own people.
weapons in
attack on Douma. making this happen. “We will not stand by whilst
PHOTO: PA “It was an honour to work with innocent civilians, including women
ISRAEL JORDAN such a professional team.” and children, are killed and made to
The target site, a former missile suffer.”
EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA
News bulletin Battle of Britain hero Terry going great guns at 100 Basrah
F1 race ace’s
battlefield bid Staff Reporter joined by Linton-on-Ouse Station
Yorkshire-based Terry was
ONE OF the UK’s dwindling
UK RACE team Williams is band of Battle of Britain Commander Gp Capt Keith Taylor KUWAIT
working with the MoD to develop heroes has celebrated his and personnel from his local base
battlefield shelters using lightweight 100th birthday. and local artist Steve Teasdale as
F1 technology for frontline troops. WWII veteran Terry he opened his telegram from The
Current temporary structures Clark was just 19 when he Queen.
used on the battlefield traditionally signed up in 1938 as an During his wartime service
use heavyweight materials such as air gunner and went on Terry flew on Fairy Battles,
corrugated iron and sandbags. to earn the Distinguished Bristol Blenheims as a gunner
A spokesman said: “Being able to Flying Medal as a and Beaufighters as one of the
deliver enhanced, lighter protection Mosquito navigator, RAF’s first radar operators before
for the Armed Forces gives us a credited with helping to moving across to the Mosquito in
great feeling.” down six Nazi aircraft. 1942 as a navigator.