A pilot from RAF Odiham has scooped a top award for his bravery under fire in Afghanistan.
Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune of 27 Squadron was awarded the Most Outstanding Airman prize at The Sun Military Awards on December 15.
Flt Lt Fortune was handed the Millie after more than 1,200 members of the public responded to the paper’s request to nominate soldiers they felt deserved recognition.
In June the 28-year-old was shot in the head when rescuing six American casualties while piloting a Chinook on tour in the war-torn country.
The bullets shattered his visor and severely cut his face and head. He was unable to see properly and suffered blood loss.
The chopper was also peppered with small arms that knocked out the flight stabilisation system, making it harder to control.
A Discovery Channel film crew captured the dramatic events on board while filming a documentary.
But not realising the severity of his injury, Flt Lt Fortune continued to fly the casualties back to Camp Bastion to ensure their safety, and in turn put his own life at risk.
Despite these difficult circumstances Flt Lt Fortune remained calm and kept the aircraft stable, allowing the medical team to work on the casualties.
All of the six injured soldier picked up survived, and the pilot had 12 stitches to his head.
At the ceremony the pilot said: “It's fantastic, it really is. It's a realisation that there is great public support for the armed forces and that they appreciate the job that we all go and do and I think it's very hard to convey just how that really does affect us.
“To know that you have the support of your home nation, it makes doing our job that much easier.
“When I watched the video of the mission during which I sustained the injury, it brought a bit of a smile to my face.
“Because each time I see it there's a little bit of me that goes, ‘you survived getting shot in the face’ and I think then that I'm still here and there's a little moment when you realise you've just survived that."
At the ceremony TV presenters Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton presented Flt Lt Fortune with his award.
Fearne Cotton said: "It was incredible to present the award. He's such an amazing guy and for us to even be here tonight to witness all these incredible awards, it's the tiniest little thing that we can do, just to be here and show our appreciation and to give Ian the award."
In September Flt Lt Fortune was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross at Buckingham Palace for his bravery.
