- SURNAME
Swan
- FORENAME
Alan James
- UNIT
1 EOD Unit, RAF Armament Support Unit, RAF Wittering
- RANK
Flight Lieutenant
- NUMBER
685685
- AWARD
Queen's Gallantry Medal
- PLACE
Falklands 1982
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12855
CITATION:
Queen's Gallantry Medal : Flight Lieutenant Swan is Officer Commanding No. 1 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit at the Royal Air Force Armament Support Unit, Royal Air Force Wittering, and commanded the eleven man bomb disposal unit which served in the Falkland Islands throughout the recent conflict. On 27th May 1982, there was an air attack on the Ajax Bay refrigeration plant, which housed the Commando Logistics Hospital. The attack resulted in 31 casualties, and two unexploded bombs were found adjacent to the operating theatre. The hospital could not be evacuated because of continual operations on the wounded, nor could the bombs be defused. Having advised the hospital staff that it was unlikely that the bombs would detonate if they were not disturbed, although being mindful of the possibility that they might be fitted with long delay fuses, Flight Lieutenant Swan decided to remain billeted in the hospital to reassure the patients and staff by his presence. In the same attack, the hospital helicopter landing strip was showered with unexploded ordnance which had been damaged by bomb explosions and fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Flight Lieutenant Swan personally led the manual clearance of ordnance which was in an extremely dangerous condition and
made the strip available for further operations. At Goose Green settlement, on 4th June 1982, a quantity of napalm had to be removed from the centre of the village. The napalm was weeping and in a dangerous condition. It was stored on steel-runnered sledges with the attendant risk of an explosion should a spark be struck. Undeterred by the obvious danger, Flight Lieutenant Swan with the assistance of Flight Sergeant Knights, moved the napalm to an area where it could be destroyed safely. On 6th June 1982, a 1,000 pound unexploded Argentinian Bomb, of the same type that had previously killed an Army disposal expert, was found in the vicinity of Brigade Headquarters at Darwin. The bomb was too close to the headquarters to be dealt with by demolition. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Flight Lieutenant Swan defused the bomb and the headquarters continued in operation without interruption. Throughout the campaign, Flight Lieutenant Swan displayed qualities of leadership, courage and coolness which were a magnificent example to others.
Source : LG49134
made the strip available for further operations. At Goose Green settlement, on 4th June 1982, a quantity of napalm had to be removed from the centre of the village. The napalm was weeping and in a dangerous condition. It was stored on steel-runnered sledges with the attendant risk of an explosion should a spark be struck. Undeterred by the obvious danger, Flight Lieutenant Swan with the assistance of Flight Sergeant Knights, moved the napalm to an area where it could be destroyed safely. On 6th June 1982, a 1,000 pound unexploded Argentinian Bomb, of the same type that had previously killed an Army disposal expert, was found in the vicinity of Brigade Headquarters at Darwin. The bomb was too close to the headquarters to be dealt with by demolition. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Flight Lieutenant Swan defused the bomb and the headquarters continued in operation without interruption. Throughout the campaign, Flight Lieutenant Swan displayed qualities of leadership, courage and coolness which were a magnificent example to others.
Source : LG49134
WEB LINKS:
• https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/supplement/12855
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