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Chinook Crew 'Chick'
- Highs and Lows of Forces Life from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook Force Crewmember
- Narrated by: Liz McConaghy
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
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Summary
Liz McConaghy spent a total of seventeen years flying with the RAF’s Chinook Fleet. Aged just 21, she was the youngest aircrew member to deploy to Iraq and was also the only woman on the Chinook wing for four years. In her astounding career, Liz McConaghy completed two deployments to Iraq followed by ten deployments to Helmand province in Afghanistan in support of the enduring Operation Herrick campaign.
Liz’s inspiringly honest story reveals the highs and lows that she witnessed at war, and the cost that came with that both, physically and mentally for those involved. During her deployments, she survived not only a near fatal wire strike onboard her CH47, but numerous enemy fire ‘contacts’ defending her crew by returning fire from both the M134 ‘Minigun’ and M60 weapons entrusted to her to operate.
Her biggest honor of all her duties, however, was serving on the Medical Emergency Response Team, or MERT, flying ambulance as it was more commonly known. This involved recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield, often under fire, and witnessing them both die and indeed come back to life at her feet in the cabin of her Chinook.
Liz saw Camp Bastion grow from a barbed wire fence surrounding an area of tents in the sand to the huge Operating Base it became. She was also on the last 1310 Flight deployment there as the British forces withdrew 10 years later handing it back to the Afghan National Army.
Very few Chinook crew members, if any, spanned the length of time deployed as Liz McConaghy did. This is a genuinely unique tale that only Liz could tell, which ends with her battling the memories that haunted her, long after she had left the battlefield. Her own war within took her to the point of suicide once she had left the service. Her survival from both the battles in foreign lands and in her own head led her to begin telling her story, in the hope she can help others win their wars.
What listeners say about Chinook Crew 'Chick'
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- JORDAN WILLIAMS
- 07-04-24
Raw emotion, honest account, fantastically written.
Liz has obviously seen and experienced a wide variety of challenges but what is clear, a passion and duty to be an amazing human being, even in a theatre of war. A real insight into the challenges, highs and lows of working on the front line and beyond. A real favourite read of mine!
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- Anonymous User
- 04-04-24
Fantastic narration by the author
Liz is fantastic narrating her own book.
Ups and downs of life. brilliant book about life and death.
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-04-24
Bravery
Brilliant account of how life catches up to you,
Amazing career fantastic stories !
Brutal but honest
Would highly recommend
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-04-24
What an incredible story!
I would recommend this book to absolutely anybody! The way Liz tells her story from the RAF days to struggling with PTSD and mental health is absolutely eye opening. The rawness of the whole thing is mind blowing.
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- Montys
- 10-04-24
Great listen and what an insight into the world of Chinook crew
Wanted to read this for ages, and was chuffed when it became available on Audiobook as I meant I could listen to it when travelling.
Great insight into the life of Liz and in general being part of the chinook crew and the many adventures they went on as well as flying in war zones.
A great listen, made all the better that Liz chose to narrate rather than getting someone else to read it.
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-03-24
An excellent an inspiring insight
I was reading a book when I discovered that its audio version was available. I downloaded it and was delighted to hear the author narrate the story, which gave me a unique insight. I found myself laughing during some parts and being emotional during others. I truly enjoyed it, and I have listened to many books before, but this is the first time I have taken the time to write a review.
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- David A Kerr
- 03-04-24
Shining Light!
Having read her book previously Liz's narration really brought her experiences to life. A must listen/read for all! Shining a well needed light on PTSD and our society's somewhat blasé attitude towards mental health! Looking forward to some more from The Chinook Crew "Chick".
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- Jeremy
- 23-03-24
Emotional listening
I have read Liz’s book a while ago but it really brought the at times still raw emotion hearing Liz read her own words.
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Raw Emotion at every level
An excellent listen, I’m glad Liz narrated herself as it lends much more authenticity to that period of her life. It took us through the highs and lows of recruiting, operations, and that difficult time after military life that many I’m sure can relate too. Enjoyed it immensely
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- Andrew
- 18-04-24
An honest and unique story about military life and mental health.
I loved everything about this book and it is great to get the perspective of a female in military aviation. Liz's story is certainly unique, while a lot of the humour and banter is relateable to anyone who has served. Her description of her mental health struggles were very emotional and insightful. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
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