[Mirror] A hero RAF Typhoon pilot who destroyed four ISIS suicide trucks laden with bombs in a record nine-hour mission in Syria has been awarded a gallantry medal.
Flight Lieutenant Thomas Hansford's targets were more than a mile away from each other during a coalition blitz in September last year.
He had to navigate his fighter jet through thunderstorms as he wiped out the suicide trucks in a series of air strikes on his first Operation Shader mission as lead pilot.
Flt Lt Hansford has now been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which recognises an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. |