"Chinooks approaching the Al Faw peninsula, Iraq "

by David Rowlands

Size 58 x 38 cm

Chinook helicopters based at RAF Odiham approach the landing site on the Al Faw peninsula, Iraq on the night of 20th March 2003 to insert Royal Marines to secure the oil terminal. Operation HOUGHTON, as it was known, was part of the early stages of Operation TELIC, the campaign to rid the country of Saddam Hussein.

The strength of the enemy ground forces was unknown. The formation of 5 aircraft inserted 220 Royal Marines in 3 waves in 2 minutes and was led by Squadron Leader Steve Carr flying Bravo November, the same aircraft that was so successful during the Falklands War in 1982. For leading the assault Squadron Leader Carr was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.