INDEPENDENT NEWS

Helicopter Pilot Was Decorated Soldier

Published: Wed 15 Feb 2017 02:06 PM
Media Release
15 February 2017
HELICOPTER PILOT WAS DECORATED SOLDIER
The New Zealand Defence Force can confirm that the helicopter pilot who died in a crash while fighting fires in the Port Hills yesterday was a decorated soldier who served with 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan.
Corporal David Steven Askin was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star in 2014 for service in Afghanistan, including the incident at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul in 2011. During the incident at the Intercontinental Corporal Askin was wounded by grenade and rifle fire, yet carried on his mission and rescued guests from the hotel as fire broke out. He was also cited on a number of other occasions for exceptional bravery during operations in Afghanistan.
The Gallantry Star is New Zealand’s second-highest gallantry award, presented for acts of outstanding gallantry in situations of danger.
The Chief of Army, Major General Peter Kelly, said Corporal Askin had lived up to the finest traditions of New Zealand Army.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and comrades at this time,” Major General Kelly said. “He was an outstanding soldier who served his country with bravery and commitment – the same bravery and commitment he showed in helping his community fight these fires.
“His performance was of the highest order and was in keeping with the finest traditions of New Zealand’s military record.
“During his time in Afghanistan, Corporal Askin displayed great gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy. He put himself in the line of fire, and put the objectives of the mission before his personal wellbeing.”
Corporal Askin’s medallic recognition was announced, without his identity being made public, in December 2014 by the Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee. (see citation below)
Corporal Askin enlisted in 1998 and left the Army in 2013, though he remained an active member of the SAS Reserves.
ENDS
The citation for his NZ Gallantry Star reads:
“Serviceman D displayed outstanding gallantry on several occasions in Afghanistan in 2011. Serviceman D repeatedly faced heavy fire from determined enemies and sustained several wounds in the line of duty, while contributing to the resolution of several incidents, the protection of civilian life and undermining enemy operations. Serviceman D’s performance was of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of New Zealand’s military record.”

Next in New Zealand politics

One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track
By: New Zealand Government
GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Lobbyists Riding Shotgun With Coalition Government
By: New Zealand Labour Party
Say Hello To NZ’s Most Anti-environment Government In Decades
By: Green Party
Fast Track Is Outright Assault On Environment
By: Forest And Bird
Coalition Sticking Plasters Over New Zealand’s Infrastructure Crisis
By: New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
A Fast Track To A More Sure-footed Future
By: Infrastructure NZ
GPS 2024: New $500 Million Pothole Prevention Fund
By: New Zealand Government
GPS 2024: 15 New Roads Of National Significance
By: New Zealand Government
GPS 2024: Keeping New Zealanders Safer On Our Roads
By: New Zealand Government
GPS 2024: Investing In Reliable Public Transport
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media