RAF

RAF Chinook Detachment In Mali Receive Campaign Medals

1310 Flight Joint Helicopter Support Unit operate Chinooks with load slings of detachments fuel to Mali 13052021 CREDITS RAF MOD

Military personnel serving with the Joint Helicopter Command Chinook Detachment deployed in Mali in support of French counter-insurgency Operation Barkhane have started receiving their campaign medals.

The medal will be issued to all personnel from all three services who have served in support of the mission with the CH-47 Chinook detachment, which is providing a combat support heavy lift capability.

The General Service Medal (2008) with a 'Western Africa' clasp recognises the hardships and dangers which have accompanied service on the operation.

Group Captain Nick Knight, Station Commander at RAF Odiham and Commander of RAF Chinook Force, says the recognition is "well-deserved" for all the hard work carried out by Joint Helicopter Command.

"In arduous and challenging conditions, to support the French Operations in the Sahel region," he said.

"It is a testament to their training and professionalism that they continue to successfully carry out the tasks assigned to them."

French troops onboard RAF Chinook lifting cargo to 1310 Flight and Joint Helicopter Support Unit operate in Mali.27072020 CREDITS RAF MOD .jpg — French troops on board an RAF Chinook in Mali (Picture: RAF).

The first presentations were made at RAF Odiham by Air Vice-Marshal Alan Gillespie, the Air Officer Commanding 2 Group.

He presented medals to five personnel drawn from the Odiham-based flying squadrons and the ground support elements.

The medal will be issued to all personnel who have served for 30 days continuously or who have aggregated 45 days service in the Sahel region of Western and Northern Africa, between 20 February 2018 and a date to be decided with the Chinook detachment.

The Chinook detachment is formed of 1310 Flight and other supporting Joint Helicopter Command elements, including the Tactical Supply Wing and Joint Helicopter Support Squadron.

1310 Flight personnel are mainly drawn in rotation from 18 (B) Squadron and 27 Squadron, both of which are normally based at RAF Odiham, the home of the RAF Chinook Force.

The RAF flight is fully integrated into the French Groupement Tactique Désert-Aérocombat, which in turn provides aviation support for the French ground mission in the Mali region.

Cover Image: 1310 Flight and the crew from the Joint Helicopter Support Unit operate Chinooks with load slings of detachments fuel to Mali (Picture: RAF).