‘Bravo November’ pilot saves crew despite being shot

ZA718 at Hendon in 2008. Image courtesy Guy Harvey

5 March 2010

A Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter pilot is being praised for his bravery for saving his crew.
 

March 5: A Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter pilot is being praised for his bravery for saving his crew despite being wounded, reports the UK newspaper The Sun.

Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was on a rescue mission in Helmand Province to extract casualties when his helicopter, fabled ZA718 ‘Bravo November’ of the 1982 Falklands War fame, was hit by enemy small-arms fire. Flt Lt Fortune’s helmet was struck by a single bullet, damaging it and wounding him between the eyes.

According to the report, Bravo November’s automatic stabilisation system was damaged, making the Chinook extremely difficult to fly, but despite this Flt Lt Fortune made it back to the airfield at Camp Bastion some eight minutes away, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Bravo November already has three Distinguished Flying Crosses to its name, its pilots having won the medals in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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