Group Captain Nick Paton DFC MA BSc RAF was invited to sign the Wall of Honour for his outstanding dedication to Operational Flying and as a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Group Captain Paton joined the RAF as a Pilot in 1999. After successfully completing rotary wing flying training he joined the Chinook Force in 2001, stationed at RAF Odiham.
After his first tour on 18(B) Squadron, Paton joined 7 Squadron in 2004. Operational tours included Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2009 for his leadership and courage during an operation in Afghanistan in 2008. The Squadron were tasked to support an assault on a Taliban Compound to target a weapons cache. A kinetic night ensued for the troops, including the requirement for Close Air Support and Casualty Evacuation. The Squadron were finally called in for extraction just before dawn. With no sign of let up from the insurgents; Paton led his two-ship into the landing site coming under intense enemy fire. Despite receiving damage to his aircraft, all of the personnel were extracted safely.
