RAF Officer Recognised For Service By US General

The Afghanistan-based RAF officer was recognised for his humanitarian work (Picture: RAF).

A Royal Air Force officer has been recognised for his humanitarian support in Afghanistan, following an attack in 2018.

Squadron Leader Craig Pearson was recognised by General Austin Scott Miller, the American commander of the NATO mission Resolute Support, following his support to Camp Anjuman in Kabul after they suffered an attack in November.

Sqn Ldr Pearson was serving as the Kabul Security Force Liaison Officer at the time and was key to generating the required forces to respond to the incident.

He also kept the chain of command appraised of essential information, ensuring the NATO base commander at Hamid Karzai International Airport was well equipped to make well-informed and speedy decisions that directly aided those affected by the attack.

"I’m proud to have played a small part in the multi-national response to the incident as an RAF Regiment Officer," Sqn Ldr Pearson said.

He further added: "It was a privilege to have seen the many nations act in unison to bring this incident to a swift conclusion. 

"My thoughts, as ever are with those whose lives were affected and I wish them all the best."

General Miller further presented Sqn Ldr Pearson with a gift of his personal coin.

On 26 November 2018, Camp Anjuman, a contractor facility was severely damaged during an Insurgent attack. 

Afghan security forces, supported by Resolute Support forces, were able to evacuate eight wounded individuals to the NATO Hospital at the airport.

NATO forces also assisted 210 local residents who were made homeless by the attack who were relocated to the safe place that had been created at the airport. 

Within a few days, all were safely repatriated or relocated to new locations.