RAF hero in AK47 storm
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
AN RAF pilot has won a top medal for holding his helicopter steady under fire so an SAS sniper could hit a key terrorist.
Squadron Leader Shane Anderson had to hover in position for as long as 25 MINUTES through a hail of AK47 bullets in Iraq.
He held his Puma chopper just 100ft up to allow the sniper time to line up a perfect shot on a “potentially lethal threat”.
And yesterday his extraordinary courage was rewarded with a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The medal — the RAF equivalent of the Army’s Military Cross — is just two down from a VC, Britain’s highest gallantry award. The drama took place last July during a raid by the SAS and US Army’s Delta Force on a major insurgent hideout.
Sqdn Ldr Anderson was in command of three Pumas on attachment to the SAS and SBS.
Their task was to provide “top cover” sniper support fire from just over the target area.
As the pilot took up position a blast on the ground threw his Puma around and damaged it.
Rifle fire was coming up from the rebels and power cables, high winds and 50°C heat combined to make flying conditions “extremely taxing”. But Sqdn Ldr Anderson held steady until his sniper, perched beside the open door with a .5in calibre Barratt rifle, killed a key target.
The full details of the mission may never be revealed because of special forces secrecy.
In a mark of how sensitive it was, the officer stayed away from an MoD press conference for other medal winners such as limbless George Cross hero Captain Peter Norton on Thursday.
Much of Sqdn Ldr Anderson’s DFC citation is classified but one part reads: “He displayed superb captaincy and exemplary formation leadership skills.”
An RAF source added: “He was very brave indeed. It is just a shame we cannot give him any more public recognition.”
thesun.co.uk
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
AN RAF pilot has won a top medal for holding his helicopter steady under fire so an SAS sniper could hit a key terrorist.
Squadron Leader Shane Anderson had to hover in position for as long as 25 MINUTES through a hail of AK47 bullets in Iraq.
He held his Puma chopper just 100ft up to allow the sniper time to line up a perfect shot on a “potentially lethal threat”.
And yesterday his extraordinary courage was rewarded with a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The medal — the RAF equivalent of the Army’s Military Cross — is just two down from a VC, Britain’s highest gallantry award. The drama took place last July during a raid by the SAS and US Army’s Delta Force on a major insurgent hideout.
Sqdn Ldr Anderson was in command of three Pumas on attachment to the SAS and SBS.
Their task was to provide “top cover” sniper support fire from just over the target area.
As the pilot took up position a blast on the ground threw his Puma around and damaged it.
Rifle fire was coming up from the rebels and power cables, high winds and 50°C heat combined to make flying conditions “extremely taxing”. But Sqdn Ldr Anderson held steady until his sniper, perched beside the open door with a .5in calibre Barratt rifle, killed a key target.
The full details of the mission may never be revealed because of special forces secrecy.
In a mark of how sensitive it was, the officer stayed away from an MoD press conference for other medal winners such as limbless George Cross hero Captain Peter Norton on Thursday.
Much of Sqdn Ldr Anderson’s DFC citation is classified but one part reads: “He displayed superb captaincy and exemplary formation leadership skills.”
An RAF source added: “He was very brave indeed. It is just a shame we cannot give him any more public recognition.”
thesun.co.uk