American military honour for West Berkshire woman

Flight Lieutenant Alice Harrison has been awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

A MEMBER of the Royal Air Force from Goring has been awarded a special medal by the American Navy and Marine Corps for her work in Afghanistan.

Flight Lieutenant Alice Harrison received the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her ‘meritorious achievement, initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty'.

She became only the sixth member of the British armed forces to be presented the medal since the start of the Afghanistan War ten years ago.

The 38-year-old provided liaison to the American Marine Core during her second tour of Afghanistan this summer.

“It was a complete shock and a real honour to receive the award,” Mrs Harrison, who also toured Afghanistan in 2006/07 and Iraq in 2006, said. “I worked with Major General Glenn M. Walters everyday and had to brief him three times a week.

“I was really impressed with the Americans. They are really professional from the private marines to the officers. They are keen to get the job done and offer great support to the British forces.”

The Flight Lieutenant, who joined the Royal Air Force eight years ago, said the British and American forces have a ‘very important relationship'.

“Within Helmand Province we have the British helicopters but now the Americans also have a presence in the region,” she said.

“On a number of occasions our helicopters will work with American marines. For example, our medical evacuation helicopters are the best in the world and the Americans don't have anything like them. If there is a road side bomb then our helicopters will be sent to support.

“The doctors on board are very brave because quite often they are Harley Street doctors who have volunteered to go into a war situation to save lives.

“The British helicopters also support the Americans in picking up soldiers and the Apaches are used in fire fights.

“We have a very important relationship with the Americans in Helmand Province.”

Mrs Harrison, who is married to Adam, a computer scientist, knows first hand the sacrifice members of the British armed forces make and the support they are given by family members.

“My husband is always very supportive,” she said. “He misses me a lot when I'm away but he knows I'm really passionate about my job.

“The British soldiers do an amazing job in Afghanistan in very difficult environmental conditions. They never moan or complain.

“I know a lot of people don't agree with the war in Afghanistan but that's not a decision made by the soldiers who just want to serve their Queen and country. The soldiers don't get a choice where they are sent.”