Four female combat helicopter aircrew are on their way to Afghanistan to fly the RAF’s Merlin aircraft into action against the Taliban. 

The four female aircrew will form part of an aircrew pool of all the Merlin pilots and loadmasters and will be assigned to aircraft as individuals.

The four – two pilots and two loadmasters – include Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, the first woman ever to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The girls aged from 24 to 32 have been training hard in California to cope with the ‘high, hot and dusty’ conditions of southern Afghanistan.

The team will be expected to pick up casualties and fly resupply missions into the teeth of hostile fire in Helmand province.

The four women have been focusing on night dust landings and gunnery and expect to come under enemy fire frequently.

The two crewmen, Sergeants Stephanie Cole, 24, and Wendy Donald, 32, have been honing their weapons skills on the helicopter’s three 7.62mm general purpose machine guns as they prepare to defend their aircraft.

Flight Lieutenants Goodman and Joanna Watkinson, 28, have been practising evasive flying manoeuvres to minimise their exposure to enemy fire.

All the women are aware that they might be shot down or forced to ditch the aircraft in hostile territory and have prepared for the possibility.

Flt Lt Goodman said:

“Although we obviously don’t want the worst to happen, we are always prepared for it.

“We have personal safety and protection equipment on us at all times and grab bags are securely stored within easy reach in the aircraft for all the crew.

 The four female aircrew will form part of an aircrew pool of all the Merlin pilots and loadmasters and will be assigned to aircraft as individuals.

The four – two pilots and two loadmasters – include Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, the first woman ever to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The girls aged from 24 to 32 have been training hard in California to cope with the ‘high, hot and dusty’ conditions of southern Afghanistan.

The team will be expected to pick up casualties and fly resupply missions into the teeth of hostile fire in Helmand province.

The four women have been focusing on night dust landings and gunnery and expect to come under enemy fire frequently.

The two crewmen, Sergeants Stephanie Cole, 24, and Wendy Donald, 32, have been honing their weapons skills on the helicopter’s three 7.62mm general purpose machine guns as they prepare to defend their aircraft.

Flight Lieutenants Goodman and Joanna Watkinson, 28, have been practising evasive flying manoeuvres to minimise their exposure to enemy fire.

All the women are aware that they might be shot down or forced to ditch the aircraft in hostile territory and have prepared for the possibility.

Flt Lt Goodman said:

“Although we obviously don’t want the worst to happen, we are always prepared for it.

“We have personal safety and protection equipment on us at all times and grab bags are securely stored within easy reach in the aircraft for all the crew.

 

Source: MOD UK
Picture: SAC Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009