Recently, members of No. 47 Squadron, Flight Lieutenants Robert Manson and Robert Hanson, together with Sergeants Jason Roy and Timothy Gilbert, and Aircraft Ground Engineers Chief Technicians Gareth Spain and Michael Lake, received the Arthur Barratt Memorial Prize during a ceremony held at RAF Cranwell.
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The prize is awarded annually to a member (or members) of the Royal Air Force who has (have) displayed outstanding skill and proficiency in performing the duties an aircraft crew. Deputy Commander Operations, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth presented the well-deserved award.
Flight Lieutenant Manson and his C-130J Hercules crew played a pivotal role in the evacuation of Kabul, Operation PITTING. The crew flew multiple missions into a complex and dynamic environment, with calm professionalism saving hundreds of civilian and military lives. With 8 hours’ notice, Flight Lieutenant Manson and his crew deployed from the UK to the UAE, where Manson immediately took command of the C-130 unit. The entire crew used their experience to provide expert contingency planning for the extraction of UK forces from Kabul, underwriting the presence of UK troops in harm’s way.
Flight Lieutenant Manson said:
"Myself and my crew are incredibly proud to be awarded the Arthur Barratt Memorial Prize for 2021. It was a truly humbling experience to be involved in such an operation. The demands placed on all those involved were extremely high during the evacuation, but everyone faced it with first-rate perseverance and tenacity. I am confident the evacuation would not have run as smoothly if not for the excellent support from 16 Air Assault Brigade, successfully securing Kabul airfield and a special mention to all those based in the UAE, who worked tirelessly to support the aircraft and personnel conducting the evacuation. I am pleased to say that the money which accompanies this prize has been donated to the Afghan Aid charity."
Flight Lieutenant Manson
Pilot Number 47 Squadron
Officer Commanding 47 Squadron, Wing Commander James Sjoberg said:
“I am delighted that Flight Lieutenant Manson and his Hercules crew have been awarded the Arthur Barratt Memorial Prize for their role in the evacuation of Kabul last year. A great team of Hercules aircrew and engineers from 47 Squadron were involved in the Operation, along with colleagues from across the RAF Air Mobility Force and 16 Air Assault Brigade. 20 years after a 47 Squadron Hercules was the first RAF aircraft to land in Afghanistan, it was very fitting that Flight Lieutenant Manson’s Hercules was the last UK aircraft to fly out of Kabul. It is clear that the skill, experience and compassion of Flight Lieutenant Manson’s crew saved many lives, and 47 Squadron is very proud of what they achieved.”
Wing Commander James Sjoberg
Officer Commanding Number 47 Squadron
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