| A Leuchars-based RAF officer has been honoured for leadership, courage and determination which saw her maintain her post in an exposed air traffic control tower during Iraqi ballistic missile attacks.
In addition, the officer helped prevent severe damage being caused to Tornado fighters due to helicopter activity, and was the first person to raise the alert about a Tornado shot down during the conflict.
She is Flight Lieutenant Jennifer Robinson (27), who is to receive the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in recognition of the role she played.
Flight Lieutenant Robinson, whose home town is Edinburgh, is an air traffic controller, and during the Iraq War she served as the detachment senior air traffic controller at Ali Al Salem in Kuwait.
The citation which led to the award makes in clear that long before the declaration of hostilities Flt Lt Robinson was heavily involved in an intensive period of operations to ensure the flow of RAF aircraft was properly controlled and monitored.
The arrival of over 250 helicopters on the base in Kuwait, it is said, presented the Tornados with a severe engine damage problem caused by stones moved onto the runway by the downwash of the rotor blades.
“The success of Flt Lt Robinson in persuading US and Kuwaiti controllers to implement a radical new programme to separate fixed-wing and rotary aircraft and to allow runway sweepers more frequent access to the runway enabled Tornado operations to continue from Ali Al Salem during a critical phase of operations.
“During Iraqi Theatre Ballistic Missile attacks at the base after hostilities were declared, Flt Lt Robinson resolutely maintained her post at an exposed position in the air traffic control tower, ensuring that all RAF aircraft landed and departed safely.
“Finally, it was Flt Lt Robinson’s professionalism and persistence in monitoring returning missions that first alerted personnel to the fate of the Tornado destroyed by a Patriot missile during its recovery from a sortie.”
The citation goes on to point out that Flt Lt Robinson performed her duties in the finest traditions of the service, and showing outstanding leadership, determination and courage, she made an invaluable contribution to the safe and effective operation of RAF aircraft at Ali Al Salem. |
