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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 176

(x) A Special Forces 'Task Force Black - Operation Crichton 2006' M.I.D. group of five awarded to Squadron Leader W. Keenan, Royal Air Force, a gallant Puma helicopter Pilot who was decorated for his part in 'supporting a compromised undercover team' of Special Forces comrades in Iraq on 19 March 2006

General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Flt Lt W Keenan RAF), impressed naming Iraq 2003-11, no clasp, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Flt Lt W Keenan RAF); Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Accumulated Campaign Service 1994 (Flt Lt W Keenan RAF), mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (5)

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 December 2006.

Warren Keenan was commissioned Pilot Officer on 10 August 1997. A helicopter pilot, he flew with No. 33 Squadron, part of Task Force Black in Iraq in 2006 as part of Operation Crichton, the Special Forces operations in that theatre. The unit is numbered around 150 operators at any one time and in their six years were responsible for the capturing or taking out scores of enemy militants. His Log Book entry for 19 March shows him flying Puma ZA938 and is redacted in part:

'Op ...[Crichton] Tasking...Contact day. Landed Jct. Mortared on Ops. MID.'

The Royal Air Force press release gave a rather interesting - to throw the scent - account of the action for his 'mention':

'Flt Lt Warren Keenan was a Puma Captain who had just taken off on patrol around Basra in March this year when he was called to attend a vehicle checkpoint where friendly forces were being attacked. The checkpoint was close to known heavy anti-aircraft enemy weapons that had fired at coalition helicopters in the past. He placed his Puma in extreme danger several times in the face of the enemy in the air and on the ground to divert attention form the team under attack on the ground. Moments after he had taken off an IED exploded, injuring soldiers. Despite the probability of damage to his Puma he continued to fly close by and provide deterrent top cover. He displayed valour and incisive command while under fire.'

A letter from Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir G. Torpy gave better detail:

'I was absolutely delighted to see you awarded a Mention in Despatches in the Operational Honours List today...The professional skill and bravery you displayed in supporting a compromised undercover team, under extremely dangerous and demanding conditions, was first class and in the highest traditions of the Service. Your professionalism and courage also reflects extremely well on the Royal Air Force, and the part the Service is playing in this difficult and challenging theatre.'

Brigadier A. J. Bradshaw, from MOD A Bock, Regent's Park Barracks offered:

'During Operation CRICHTON on 19 March 2006 you displayed valour, incisive leadership and pin-point flying when supporting a UKSF callsign that had found itself in a significant amount of danger. This performance has been in the highest traditions of a military pilot and you should feel justifiably proud.'

Keenan's Log Book shows further entries of interest:

11 March - Tasking post FCO Tail store.

14 March - GShip contact.

20 March - Co-ordination 20 ship...[attack?}...Puma lead by us.

It is possible Keenan flew on the rescue of Norman Kimber, an SAS led operation on 23 March 2006, he notched up 90 minutes of night flying on ops that evening. He was advanced Squadron Leader on 1 January 2014 and retired on 3 February 2020; sold together with original and copied letters of congratulation, copied page from Log Book covering 1-29 March 2006, and front cover, besides copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate

Starting price
£3500