Canadian RAF pilot wins DFC

I can't believe I missed this, but it was Christmas and I was busy: Britain honours Canadian pilot with Distinguished Flying Cross.

Flight Lieutenant Christopher Hasler is the first Canadian to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross since the Korean war. The cross has been handed out to Canadians 4,460 times, mostly during the Second World War. It is awarded for acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy. It was established on June 3, 1918, the birthday of King George V.

"Flight Lieut. Christopher Hasler and his Royal Air Force helicopter crew twice risked their lives during combat operations in Afghanistan.

In July, Hasler's Chinook helicopter came under intense fire from machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades during a mission to resupply British troops and pick up wounded in a Taliban stronghold in volatile Helmand province.

During another operation, Hasler landed his helicopter in a space among three buildings to get closer to the troops — again under heavy fire.

The slightest error would have been disastrous, but Hasler said there is at least one thing that scares him more than combat in Afghanistan."

"I don't know how I am going to feel when I meet the Queen" in May during the medal ceremony.