Lance corporal congratulated after becoming Army Air Corps' only female rear crew member

A soldier in the Army Air Corps has been announced as the only female rear crew member in the unit.

Lance Corporal Healy of 1 Regiment Army Air Corps has been named as the only woman in the role and is now capable of operating as a rear crew on the Wildcat Battlefield Reconnaissance helicopters.

Her regiment celebrated the completion of her two-week Wildcat RCW CTT 11 training course with a post on social media.

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It said: "Congratulations to LCpl Healy who completed her wildcat RCW CTT 11 training over the last two weeks.

"She is now the only female Rear Crew in the Army Air Corps and is now capable of operating as rear crew on the wildcat."

RAF veteran and author Liz McConaghy, nicknamed the "Chinook Crew Chick", congratulated LCpl Healy's accomplishment, saying: "Congratulations Wildcat Chick".

As well as using firepower to support and protect troops on the ground, the Army Air Corps acts as an eye in the sky, collecting vital intelligence on enemy forces.

AAC groundcrew and aircrew work together to fly, refuel and rearm their aircraft.

Soldiers can become rear crew members after serving a minimum of one year, although it is recommended they hold the rank of LCpl.  

Successful applicants will go through aptitude and training before heading to the front line.