Chinook Crew 'Chick' cover art

Chinook Crew 'Chick'

Highs and Lows of Forces Life from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook Force Crewmember

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Chinook Crew 'Chick'

By: Liz McConaghy
Narrated by: Liz McConaghy
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About this listen

Liz McConaghy spent a total of seventeen years flying with the RAF’s Chinook Fleet. Aged just 21, she was the youngest aircrew member to deploy to Iraq and was also the only woman on the Chinook wing for four years. In her astounding career, Liz McConaghy completed two deployments to Iraq followed by ten deployments to Helmand province in Afghanistan in support of the enduring Operation Herrick campaign.

Liz’s inspiringly honest story reveals the highs and lows that she witnessed at war, and the cost that came with that both, physically and mentally for those involved. During her deployments, she survived not only a near fatal wire strike onboard her CH47, but numerous enemy fire ‘contacts’ defending her crew by returning fire from both the M134 ‘Minigun’ and M60 weapons entrusted to her to operate.

Her biggest honor of all her duties, however, was serving on the Medical Emergency Response Team, or MERT, flying ambulance as it was more commonly known. This involved recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield, often under fire, and witnessing them both die and indeed come back to life at her feet in the cabin of her Chinook.

Liz saw Camp Bastion grow from a barbed wire fence surrounding an area of tents in the sand to the huge Operating Base it became. She was also on the last 1310 Flight deployment there as the British forces withdrew 10 years later handing it back to the Afghan National Army.

Very few Chinook crew members, if any, spanned the length of time deployed as Liz McConaghy did. This is a genuinely unique tale that only Liz could tell, which ends with her battling the memories that haunted her, long after she had left the battlefield. Her own war within took her to the point of suicide once she had left the service. Her survival from both the battles in foreign lands and in her own head led her to begin telling her story, in the hope she can help others win their wars.

©2022 Liz McConaghy (P)2023 Pen and Sword
Air Forces Armed Forces Military Military & War Women Heartfelt Inspiring War

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All stars
Most relevant  
What an open and honest account. Mental Health is getting more exposure but there is still that reluctance for people to talk about it or rather people to understand

Honesty

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Shines a light on how hard it can be post service life and transitioning into civi street

Great listen, thanks to Liz for writing the second to last chapter

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Brilliant account of how life catches up to you,
Amazing career fantastic stories !
Brutal but honest
Would highly recommend

Bravery

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Well written and brilliantly narrated by the author making the story very real indeed. A very transparent account of her life.

A real account of aircrew life in the RAF

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I was reading a book when I discovered that its audio version was available. I downloaded it and was delighted to hear the author narrate the story, which gave me a unique insight. I found myself laughing during some parts and being emotional during others. I truly enjoyed it, and I have listened to many books before, but this is the first time I have taken the time to write a review.

An excellent an inspiring insight

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Having read her book previously Liz's narration really brought her experiences to life. A must listen/read for all! Shining a well needed light on PTSD and our society's somewhat blasé attitude towards mental health! Looking forward to some more from The Chinook Crew "Chick".

Shining Light!

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I've now listened to and enjoyed various audio books about our amazing armed forces accounts of Afghanistan, this was the most profound. Although the performance wasn't as slick as others, this made it somehow more personal. An absolute must for anyone wanting a genuine journey through the eyes one of our armed forces Well done Liz.

Be prepared for the most emotional journey.

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Wanted to read this for ages, and was chuffed when it became available on Audiobook as I meant I could listen to it when travelling.
Great insight into the life of Liz and in general being part of the chinook crew and the many adventures they went on as well as flying in war zones.
A great listen, made all the better that Liz chose to narrate rather than getting someone else to read it.

Great listen and what an insight into the world of Chinook crew

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She narrates it herself which I didn’t think was good when she first tripped over her words but I quickly realised it felt like you are having a chat and hear her emotions in the storey. Be warned, the room gets smoky and onions chopped!

Captivating and makes connected.

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Served fourteen years as Chinook air crew. Got married to an SAS soldier, got divorced then tried to kill herself on what would have been their 4th wedding anniversary.
Deeply moving and made me cry .

Heartbreaking.

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