MBE awarded to Falklands veteran .
An RAF Odiham Falklands veteran has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Flight Lieutenant Michael Snowdon was listed for the honour following a 40 year career in the air force.
In a statement issued by RAF Odiham, nr Basingstoke, it praised Flt Lt Snowdon’s efforts in supporting the base’s Chinook force.
Flt Lt Snowdon joined the RAF in 1970, and retired from regular service as a squadron leader in 2009.
His career in the RAF was put into doubt during his last of four tours to the Falkland Islands.
During a white-out, Flt Lt Snowdon crashed his chopper which resulted in the loss of his right leg.
A year later he was cleared as flight ready, and later went on to be a qualified Chinook instructor.
RAF Odiham said Flt Lt Snowdon played an intergral part behind the scene’s in cementing the base’s position at the forefront of the war in Afghanistan.
The statement read: “The vast part of his service has involved his unerring support to the UK Chinook Force where his work has undoubtedly made a major contribution to defence.
“Snowden's performance has been way beyond that expected and his selfless dedication to Defence, for over 40 years, represents all that is good in the Royal Air Force.
“Typically, his subsequent career has been characterised by the exemplary discharge of his duties, with no hint of his disability hindering him, exemplified by further tours in the Falklands.
“And as a Reservist, working far beyond his contracted hours, he played a critical part in achieving this with the direct consequence of plugging an aircraft availability gap in 2010 that threatened to undermine Odiham's ability to support operations in Afghanistan.”
And as part of the Queen’s honours list the base’s chinook force fleet management team were awarded an Air Officer Commanding 1 Group Commendation.
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