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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 412

A 'Special Forces' E.II.R. A.F.M. group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant J. 'Jo' McCready, Royal Air Force, a skilled parachute operator and instructor who served with the S.A.S. in Northern Ireland

He had previously served with the pioneering Joint Services Free Fall Trials Team - their secret trials led to the formation of the insertion tactics the British Special Forces and Parachute Regiment used to this day

Air Force Medal, E.II.R. (Q4287815 Sgt J McCready RAF); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Sgt. J. McCready. (Q4287815) RAF); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C. (Sgt J McCready (Q4287815) RAF), mounted court-style for wear, nearly extremely fine (3)

A.F.M. London Gazette 16 June 1984 (Ministry of Defence - Air Force Department).

Joseph McCready, or 'Jo' to his friends - had a close affinity to parachuting throughout his career. Initially he served with the Joint Services Free Fall Trials Team, formed in 1966. With the advent of sports parachuting, its military uses soon became apparent. The club at No. 1 Parachute Training School was one of the first to master the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) technique in the United Kingdom, for at that time the maximum jump height was only 6,000ft. By the early 1960's, HALO was popular amongst the Special Forces, who often won laurels during international competition. It was only by 1966 that the Joint Warfare Committee sat to authorise the formation of the Joing Services Free Fall Trials Team to establish the tactical uses of free fall parachuting. The aim was straight forward - evaluate its use from existing service aircraft, at day and night, in varying conditions, in clandestine and war operations and against an enemy with or without radar/defence systems.

The original team consisted of 32 men, seven from the S.A.S., 19 from the Parachute Regiment and six from the R.A.F. Their work, which consisted of some 296 jumps, 41 of which were live delivery trials at Platoon strength, and one major tactical exercise, took place from June-November 1966. The techniques honed during this period led to the acceptance of both HALO and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) insertions, used to this day by our airborne forces.

Op Banner - Special Forces Detachment

Having served in the JSFTT, McCready was quickly posted for active service with the Special Forces Detachment in Northern Ireland during 1972. Due to the nature of his work, little can be published in the public domain, although he is confirmed as having offered his parachuting expertise to the operations. His Medal was issued to the Officer Commanding, the Special Forces Detachment, Chelsea on 15 January 1973.

Further 'jumps'

Subsequently returned to the Royal Air Force, McCready is known to have participated in a number of parachute trial jumps, including high altitude openings. He remained a member of the Royal Air Force Sports Para Association at R.A.F. Weston-on-the-Green, and was confirmed as an Approved Instructor on 12 June 1980 (Sport Parachutist, refers). McCready was also in the R.A.F. Parachute Team for the 1983 National Championships:

'The R.A.F. themselves hope to enter a team composed of Weston staff possibly Bob Souter, Pete Reynolds, Jo McCready and Barry Henderson, but as usual with the military time off is a problem.'

Sold with original letter of issuance for the General Service Medal and copied research.

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Sold for
£7,000