ARMY heroes, who helped thousands of people evacuate from Afghanistan, will be honoured by medals for their bravery.
Members of the 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester will be among the soldiers awarded the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, featuring a new clasp reading , for their involvement in Operation Pitting.
This was the largest humanitarian aid operation in over 70 years, which saw the rescue of 15,0000 Afghans and British nationals from Afghanistan as the Taliban seized control of the country.
Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade will be recognised for putting 600 soldiers on the ground to provide force protection and logistical support to the vast operation at Kabul Airport.
They will also be honoured for completing a record-breaking flight carrying in the highest number of people in an RAF C-17 aircraft - 439.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:“I’m delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given permission for a special medal to be awarded to all those who deployed to Kabul, to honour their heroism in the face of extreme adversity.
“Operation PITTING will go down as one of the great achievements of our UK Armed Services and their civilian counterparts in the post-war era.
"The whole country can be immensely proud of their tireless work to bring men, women and children to safety. They represent the very best of us.”
Operation Pitting began last August 13, with members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force evacuating people from 38 different nations on a hundred flights.
During this period of humanitarian crisis, the military provided food and water, as well as clothing and medical supplies for evacuees.
The mission ended on August 28.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:“As the security situation worsened by the hour, our service men and women stepped up and delivered the largest British evacuation since the Second World War.
"They will rightly receive medallic recognition for their efforts.
“I would like to thank them, and all our service personnel, on behalf of the public and UK Government for safely evacuating endangered Afghans through some of the most desperate scenes imaginable.
"You have done us all proud."
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