Defence Department Report #1
I am privileged to congratulate Major Scott Watkins, who will tonight be awarded a United Kingdom Distinguished Flying Cross medal for operations in Iraq. Major Watkins served on exchange with the British Army in the Joint Helicopter Force in 2004/05. A first rate Army helicopter pilot, he received the award for providing support to the 1st Black Watch Battlegroup.

Major Watkins will tonight received the award from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. He is the first Australian to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross since the Vietnam War, and one of a number of Australians to have been presented with the UK award.

In recognising Major Watkins’ outstanding efforts, Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy, Chief of the Australian Army, said, “Despite a very real threat to his aircraft, he repeatedly placed himself in exposed positions in order to provide support to other aircraft and the ground forces they were supporting”.

“In the opinion of his Commanding Officer, Major Watkins actions undoubtedly saved the lives of a number of soldiers in the Battlegroup.” In one incident during his service in Iraq, Major Watkins took control of the British Lynx helicopter, in which he was the co-pilot, after its pilot was injured by small-arms fire while flying in support of Black Watch operations south of Baghdad. Then-Capt Watkins, who was not injured in the attack, piloted the helicopter to a nearby coalition base, Camp Dogwood, and the pilot was evacuated to hospital.

All Australians should feel proud of the courage showed by Major Watkins. His courage highlights the importance of Australia’s contribution to Coalition efforts in Iraq. In particular, it reinforces the high regard in which our soldiers are held – their courage, training and professionalism.

Defence Department Report #2
An Australian Army helicopter pilot will be presented with the United Kingdom’s Distinguished Flying Cross by The Queen.
The investiture will take place at Buckingham Palace today. Major Scott Watkins served on exchange with the British Army in the Joint Helicopter Force - Iraq in 2004-05. He was awarded the medal for his actions while flying in support of the 1st Black Watch Battlegroup.

Major Watkins is the first Australian to receive the UK honour since the Vietnam War. The award was announced on 10 September 2005. Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy, Chief of the Australian Army, said Major Watkins was recognised for his service, professional ability and courage. “Major Watkins exhibited skill and calm decision-making during difficult and dangerous operations,” Lieutenant-General Leahy said “This honour also reflects the high regard Coalition militaries have for Australian soldiers.”

In one incident during his service in Iraq, Major Watkins took control of the British Lynx helicopter, in which he was the co-pilot, after its pilot was injured by small-arms fire while flying in support of Black Watch operations south of Baghdad. Then-Capt Watkins, who was not injured in the attack, piloted the helicopter to a nearby coalition base, Camp Dogwood, and the pilot was evacuated to hospital. Major Watkins now posted to the School of Armour in Puckapunyal, Victoria.