Military Model Scene

Title: Chinook Crew Chick
Author: Liz McConaghy
Publisher: Air World
ISBN: 978-1-39907-292-2

Subtitled 'Highs and Lows of Forces Life from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook Crew Member', from Air World, an imprint of Pen & Sword. A 178-page hard-cover book
It has taken me a while to get to this remarkable book from author Liz, with not just an enlightening look at life as a female in a very male dominated part of our armed forces, but in the final stages of the book, a very honest account of the effects of PTSD, especially after having been forced to leave her service life behind. Starting with her early years growing up in a rural part of Northern Ireland, able to play in the countryside with her brother, and then being drawn to a life in the RAF. Having successfully joined she wanted to serve on the mighty Chinook, the CH-47 helicopter. Not as a pilot, but as a crewman, a loadmaster. She takes us through her training, including the challenges she faced, and becoming what she had dreamed of, being posted to the Chinook units based at Odiham in Hampshire. The base is not far down the road from my own home, so the sight of a Chinook is not unusual. As well as additional training and experience she did tours in Iraq and then 10 in Afghanistan over several years. Sharing a tent with a group of colleagues, all men, they were clearly friends, who enabled her to have some privacy amidst the tented accommodation of being based in Afghanistan. Flying a wide variety of missions, from delivering post to outposts, flying with underslung loads and especially the medical evacuation flights where the sights she saw couldn't fail to have affected those who saw them. Even her feeling about having to operate the machine guns mounted in the doorways or on the rear ramp. In the final part of the book, and having many years of flying under her belt, injury from her work eventually led to her being prevented from flying any more, and then discharge on medical grounds. There are two sets of photos to illustrate the story. Coping with civilian life, and her marriage breaking down thanks largely to the effects of PTSD on both her and her husband are very honestly covered, as is her attempted suicide and eventual recovery.
This is, I think, a remarkable story and does a fine job of explaining what it means for our service personnel to train and serve in a combat zone, and the highs and lows they have to deal with. Speaking as a man, it was very interesting to read how a young woman coped with life in what is very much a male dominated environment, and in combat as well. Her nickname, for which she even has a badge, will raise a smile I have no doubt but still one she is proud to have. I have no hesitation in recommending this as one to read, wish Liz well and say thank you for your service.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy.

Robin