A LEUCHARS-based RAF officer has been honoured for leadership, courage and determination which saw her maintain her post in an exposed air traffic control tower during Iraqi ballistic missile attacks.

In addition, the officer helped prevent severe damage being caused to Tornado fighters due to helicopter activity and was the first person to raise the alert about a Tornado shot down during the conflict.

She is 27-year-old Flight Lieutenant Jenny Robinson, who is to receive the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in recognition of the role she played.

Flight Lieutenant Robinson, from Edinburgh, is an air traffic controller, and during the Iraq war she served as the detachment senior air traffic controller at Ali Al Salem in Kuwait.

The citation accompanying the award makes it clear that long before the declaration of hostilities Jenny was heavily involved in an intensive period of operations to ensure that the flow of RAF aircraft was properly controlled and monitored.

The arrival of over 250 helicopters on the base in Kuwait, it is said, presented the Tornados with a severe engine damage problem caused by stones moved on to the runway by the downwash of the rotor blades.

“The success of Flt Lt Robinson in persuading US and Kuwaiti controllers to implement a radical new programme to separate fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and to allow runway sweepers more frequent access to the runway, enabled Tornado operations to continue from Ali Al Salem during a critical phase of operations.

“During Iraqi theatre ballistic missile attacks in the base after hostilities were declared Flt Lt Robinson resolutely maintained her post at an exposed position in the air traffic control tower, ensuring that all RAF aircraft landed and departed safely.

Finally, it was Flt Lt Robinson’s professionalism and persistence in monitoring returning missions that first alerted personnel to the fate of the Tornado destroyed by a Patriot missile during its recovery from a sortie.”

The citation goes on to point out that Flt Lt Robinson performed her duties in the finest traditions of the service and that, showing outstanding leadership, determination and courage, she made an invaluable contribution to the safe and effective operation of RAF aircraft at Ali Al Salem.

Yesterday Jenny was back on duty at Leuchars and as she finished her shift she told The Courier that at times her experience had been “quite scary.”

She had been at the base for six months and that for 41/2 months she had to work a 12-hour shift every day.

She said that she had been working in a largely supervisory role, working with Kuwaiti controllers then, as aircraft numbers and activity built up, liaising with the Americans.

She added said that during the first days of the conflict the base had been under attack quite a lot, and Iraqi missiles were coming in.