1st June 2007, Basra, Iraq.

RAF Helicopter Pilot Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman and the rest of her Merlin crew were used to flying into dangerous places. They were part of an Incident Response Team (IRT) which picked up seriously injured soldiers and took them to hospital for treatment. But one night in Basra proved to be like no other when the crew flew to the rescue of a young soldier with very serious injuries sustained in a mortar attack.

Michelle flew into the city at night and under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.

Darren talks to Michelle who is the first woman ever to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as other members of the Merlin Crew about the decisions they made and the risks they took to save a life.

Contributors:

Michelle Goodman DFC, George Williams and Chris Parker.

With thanks to Stephen Vause and family.

Credits:

Presented by Darren Coventry

Written and produced by Josella Waldron and Simon Thornton

Edited by Andy Prada

Sound Design by Mark Pittam

Original Music by Will Farmer

Executive Producer Alex Griffiths