Sailor who saved lives after shooting down Houthi drone with 30mm cannon recognised
A member of HMS Diamond's crew who shot down a Houthi drone with a 30mm cannon has been mentioned in despatches for his actions.
With the pitching of the ship moving at high speed, the darkness and the low altitude of the small targets, Able Seaman Warfare Specialist M Winton picked out an enemy drone, took aim and successfully destroyed it.
The drone had been heading towards a merchant vessel and Able Seaman Winton undoubtedly saved the lives of the civilians on board, the Royal Navy said.
The 30mm cannon that was fired is manually aimed, unaided by targeting technology.
Able Seaman Winton was not the only one recognised for their actions in the Red Sea, with a number of other Royal Navy personnel who shot down Houthi missiles and drones recognised in the combined New Year and Operational Honours list.
Approved by King Charles, 32 men and women from the Navy are on the list, which included nine officers and ratings for operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Yemen.
They were singled out for either being in the line of fire of Houthi rebels or being involved in the operation to protect merchant vessels in the Middle East and Mediterranean.
One of those was Commander Peter Evans, the Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond, during a historic deployment that saw the Type 45 destroyer shoot down nine drones and a Houthi missile.
Cdr Evans, who was given an OBE for his leadership, said the award belongs just as much to the 200 men and women under his command for their actions and resolve in testing circumstances.
"I'm incredibly proud of HMS Diamond's ship's company, who showed an incredible amount of professionalism and bravery in the Red Sea," he said.
"It was their actions which kept the merchant mariners in the region safe.
"We were told to stop merchant ships coming to harm - and we definitely did that."
Another sailor was awarded an OBE for his role in facing down the Houthis.
Commander Rich Kemp, HMS Richmond's Commanding Officer, was recognised for leading the frigate's own mission – with Richmond relieving Diamond while the latter resupplied in Gibraltar.
For 35 days, Cdr Kemp sustained his ship in the highest threat areas, shooting down two attack drones.
Elsewhere, Commander David Armstrong, now commanding HMS Iron Duke, was awarded the King's Commendation for Valuable Service for a "consummate performance" during his stint in Bahrain.
On the deployment, he proved to be an outstanding diplomat "combined with his ability to bring the best out of the team".
He spent 10 months as deputy commander of an international naval group in the Middle East, which spanned the most successful in the history of Combined Task Force 150 with 22 tonnes of illegal narcotics seized by coalition warships including HMS Montrose and HMS Lancaster.
Warrant Officer 1 Nick Ollive is made an MBE for his outstanding service to the Royal Marines, with his advice and experience described as making a "significant, long-lasting and game-changing difference to how the Royal Marines operate".
Elsewhere, Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith was awarded an OBE after he led the way for the Navy's new overseas patrol ship programme.
This saw him, as Commanding Officer of HMS Tamar, lay the foundations for the ship's ongoing long-term mission to Asia and the Far East – a vital element of the UK's Indo-Pacific tilt and the Navy's permanent return to the region in a generation.
His accomplishments were described as "immeasurable".
Rear Admiral Jude Terry, the first female admiral in the Navy, was also made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for her "significant contribution" in her role as People Director.
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