David Hayden (RAF airman) explained

David Hayden
Birth Name:David James Hayden
Birth Place:Germany
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:Royal Air Force
Serviceyears:1997–present
Rank:Sergeant
Unit:RAF Regiment
Battles:War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards:Military Cross

David James Hayden, MC (born 1979) is the first Royal Air Force non-commissioned officer to win the Military Cross.

Early life

Hayden was born in Germany and attended the Gleed Boys' School in Spalding, where he grew up. His father (who died in June 2005, aged 49) was a tank driver in the Queen's Royal Hussars, becoming a warrant officer class 2.[1]

RAF service

Hayden joined the RAF Regiment in 1997 and after a number of tours including time with No. 2 RAF Force Protection Wing at RAF Leeming – with which he served in Afghanistan for the first time – he is currently a sergeant.[2] He is a qualified instructor.

While serving in Iraq in 2007, as part of No. 4 RAF Force Protection Wing (of which 1 Squadron is a sub-unit), he showed outstanding courage while commanding a dismounted patrol in a fight against an insurgent force, repeatedly risking his own life to rescue a wounded comrade and extract his team.[3] His Military Cross was gazetted on 7 March 2008.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/Kate-signs-last-page-in.1269809.jp "Kate signs last page in memory of James", Spalding Today
  2. News: Gunners honoured for outstanding courage . 15 November 2020 . Thetford and Brandon Times . 7 March 2008.
  3. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/184HonouredForCourageAndProfessionalismOnOperations.htm Ministry of Defence website