Three officers honoured for their roles in Iraq (From Bucks Free Press)

Three officers honoured for their roles in Iraq

9:06am Thursday 6th November 2003 in News By Kris Hall

THREE officers stationed at RAF High Wycombe have been honoured by America for their roles in the War against Iraq.

Air Marshal Glenn Torpy, Group Captain Steve Forward and Air Commodore Andrew Walton, based at Strike Command, RAF High Wycombe, picked up awards for outstanding services during this year's conflict.

Based at Strike Command, RAF High Wycombe, the officers undertook different roles in the coalition campaign. A spokesman for RAF High Wycombe said the men had "distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement of service".

Air Marshal Torpy, 50, deputy commander-in-chief at Strike Command, picked up the Legion of Merit.

The UK's component commander at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, he was closely involved in the planning of coalition air strategy, including strike attacks.

Air Commodore Walton, 48, a qualified weapons instructor pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours on military aircraft, received the same honour for exceptional conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

As senior British air adviser he was responsible for leading the UK contribution to planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Father-of-three Group Captain Forward, 44, gained the Bronze Star medal, after acting as the first UK officer to command operations within the US-led combined air operations centre.