Pilot gonged by the Queen
Volume 11, No. 57, November 30, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney

Spiffing: Maj Scott Watkins with the DFC awarded by the Queen. Photo by AAP.

THE Queen awarded an Australian Army pilot with the UK Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on November 23.

Maj Scott Watkins, who was nominated after serving in Iraq in 2004 on an exchange posting with the British Army, said he was honoured to be the first Australian pilot to receive a DFC since the Vietnam War.

“It’s fantastic. I’m very much aware of the significance of it,” Maj Watkins said.

The helicopter pilot’s parents and his wife Karen were present at the investiture, where the Queen chatted briefly with Maj Watkins about his exchange.

Flying in a Lynx helicopter in November 2004, Maj Watkins and his British co-pilot Capt Keith Reesby came under small arms fire.

“One penetrated underneath my seat and damaged my controls,” Maj Watkins said.

The second hit Capt Reesby in the chest, and the last volley hit behind the engines.

“I felt straight away I’d been hit, and there was a big bang as the round entered the window,” Capt Reesby said.

Maj Watkins, having taken control of the helicopter, broke contact, assessed the damage and returned the aircraft to base while organising medical support over the radio.

Capt Reesby said he was “ridiculously lucky” as the round lodged only inches from his heart.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said Maj Watkins came under fire again only days later but stayed on station to support ground troops, his aircraft returning fire and playing a pivitol role in the capture of enemy personnel and equipment.

“Maj Watkins exhibited skill and calm decision-making during difficult and dangerous operations,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.

After the investiture, Maj Watkins caught up with Capt Reesby for a beer.

Now fully recovered, Capt Reesby said “we’re still really good mates. I think we’ve shared something that not many people have and he’ll be a life-long friend”.