Chinook Crew 'Chick': Highs and Lows of Forces Life from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook Force Crewmember

by Liz McConaghy

Liz McConaghy, from a small town in County Down, 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 female ‘crewman’ 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.

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2022

Reviews

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Pen & Sword | Air World for allowing me to read and review Chinook Crew 'Chick' Highs and Lows of Forces Life from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook Force Crew Member by Liz McConaghy on NetGalley.

Published: 09/30/22

Stars: 3.5

This is a memoir with a lot of facts, acronyms, and ranks I was not at all familiar with. If you are looking for history and facts by the longest serving CFC member then this is for you, and you won't be disappointed. I had to skim over the technical and stayed with the personal and interpersonal relationships she had. And, I appreciated her life as well as her perspectives personally.

My time was spent well. I would recommend this to those who enjoy the genres. I'm rounding up, McConaghy has a great outlook and work ethic that many can learn from.

There is some profanity.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it was so very interesting. This wonderful story was extremely hard to put down. So I read it all in one sitting. It was a fantastic insight into the authors military career. And guess what she is doing the job that I wanted lol. But I couldn't even try as my medical issues wouldn't even get my signed up so I'm very jealous lol. The book also covers so difficult events and commend the author for writing about them as it must of been very difficult. This book shows the true life traumas of war and the problems this has on our serving hero's. This book was very well wrote a d flowed amazingly. It was a real page turner. This book will definitely take you on a roller coaster ride. It's an emotional journey both good and sad. I really can't recommend this book enough. If you really won't to know what life is like or just love everything military then you should read this book. It had so many funny stories aswell. I loved the one with the water fortress that had me laughing.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this wonderful story that im positive you will find very interesting. I really hope the author writes more books as I would really love to read more. I also want to thank her for her service to our country.

[Dickie Arbiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooofffff!!!!

Chinook Crew Chick was not my go to choice of book but after Liz McConaghy contacted me via X to say she enjoyed my autobiography, I thought the gentleman that I am I should give hers a try, and I'm glad I did. Thisis the story of a 19 year old from Northern Ireland, who, slightly overweight (by her own admission i should add) decided to join the Royal Air Force to become a Chinook crewman, her words not mine - after training she says she was proud to be a crewman and not a crewwoman. She spent 17 years in the RAF, most of them at the sharp end operationally in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, through injury, hours spent wearing a helmet which injured her neck, she was grounded. She was offered a desk job with the Force but in her words, that's not why she joined. Hers is a fascinating story of guts, determination and fortitude, but in reading the penultimate chapter - Just Breathe - I felt I'd been hit in the solar plexis with a sledgehammer, hence Oooofff!!! I won't say more except read Chinook Crew 'Chick' and judge for yourself. Liz is now a motivational speaker and with her almost two decades of experience in the RAF she offers her audience a 'can do' opportunity.

[Philip Weyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Chinook Crew Chick an absorbing read, written in an extremely candid and personal manner. The highs and lows of a Chinook helicopter aircrew member with multiple combat deployments and what followed medical discharge. Of particular interest to anyone who is or was in the military, but no doubt of great interest as well to anyone interested in a very deep personal story. Highly recommended.

[Nicola C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chinook Crew Chick read by author Liz McConaghy well 1st off I was interested in this book after seeing Liz on Instagram and from the opening sentences Liz likes to tell the listeners and possible suitors that she's not a lesbian and makes comments to this effect many times throughout the book,which I found annoying as by the time Liz joined the RAF gay men and women were not forced out of the service as had happened previously and to be honest it's of no value to the reader if Liz was gay or not but the lady doeth protest too much.
Her time in service in Iraq and Afghanistan is interesting and she mentions Kajaki where servicemen were injured and killed by russian mines from decades earlier.
And Liz goes onto explore her PTSD and the transition from service life to civilian.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thought provoking

I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I was saddened by these are end but totally unsurprised. I much doubt that the author thinks herself remarkable but as one of the earliest female crewmen on a Chinook, I think she very much is.
This is a memoir, a well written one, of the life of a woman in combat and in the end, the price that has to be paid. It is an extremely good read and I thoroughly recommend it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battles outside, the battles inside.

Appreciate Liz's open honesty. Thanks for letting us ride alongside, not just during the best of times, but a honest look at the worst of times (an opportunity for self-reflection). Hopefully, you'll have felt us riding alongside as you have told your story. The feeling of being a part of something larger than yourself, and mates that will always be in reach.....so familiar, such an awesome part of life.

[Ruth Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable

Such a great insight into the compounding impact on your brain health where you stack emotional, physical, mental and spiritual pain, how fast things can manifest, what goes on in your mind and the warning signs to look out for.

Thanks for the opportunity to interview you! Was such a great conversation.

Ruth

[tim Pettipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read ,very well written

I enjoyed this book I to was in Iraq and Afghan about the same time so I can relate to the material in this book I also understand about what it felt like when the uk pulled out of Afghan the sense of what a waste of effort , all those wasted life’s and life changing injuries ,
The feeling of total abandonment by the rest of society .

[Abby Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring read!

What a roller coaster of emotions this books has been. Amazing to shed light on the effects of war has on veterans, and just how something so simple as a break of daily routine (Covid) can unlock the worst memories from the brain. Inspiring to read and I’m sure this book will help many people get control of their own demons after reading

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional read.
A story of two halves. The first where Liz is focussing on her ambition to become an RAF crewman on a chinook and the second half where things fall apart.
The story is written in a very readable way despite the ‘lows’ and I admire Liz for publishing her story which highlights many issues.
Well worth reading.

[N. Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different perspective of life.

I read this book, which I found very interesting and learnt a few things about myself, PTSD and how ifmt effects oneself. I wish Liz all the best for her future and have some understanding of life from her point of view. An outstanding read.

[Chris Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off with the usual military biography type of start and describes Liz's journey well. Really enjoyed her take on her career in a male dominated world. The strength to write the last few chapters is what is most striking and powerful. A great read, only put it down when my eyes got tired.

[Richard Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable career and a truly brave individual—not only for her years of service but for the challenges faced afterward. I enjoyed the vivid aircrew adventures and the raw, honest reflections on the lasting impact of war.

[Timothy Dobbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Breathe

[Rich Bussom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, well told. Highly recommended.

[David Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Jayne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

A fascinating tale of RAF service, its highs and lows, and the toll it can take on both body and mind.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into military life

[Patricia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. My brother was in the paras. So the book also gave me some insight into why when he came out of the Army - he found it hard to settle into civilian life.

[Tom Cawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tear jerker, starts off very fun and suddenly you find yourself fighting those tears.

Easy to read, hard to put down. Sincerely candid story from Liz.

[John F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving

Well written and covers many emotions - you must a heart of stone not to shed a tear in the final chapters.

[Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good

You should read it. (Apparently I have to write sixteen more words and I could go on about it, blah, blah, blah. Just read it.)

[Simon Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtakingly honest story. Ms McConaghy tells it like it was and her experience of war should be read by all MPs. Especially past ones who voted for war.

[Mark Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy read despite all the military speak and a really interstellar insight into how the crews of this amazing machine work . A bit harrowing in the final chapters but what a lady !

[Natalie Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and very touching. Spoken from the heart. A story from a true hero

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw the title of this book, I was intrigued by it.

When I was 15 years old, I was lucky enough to hitch a ride on a Chinook. My dad was in the RAAF and my best friend's dad had been posted to another base. Somehow, her dad arranged for me to go on this flight (he was an officer and my dad was only a corporal, so I am sure it was him). I will never forget the crew sharing the chocolate from their ration packs with me. But the highlight was putting on a harness, them putting the ramp down and me dangling my legs over the edge. The view and the buzz of the whole experience was incredible and I have had a soft spot for Chinooks ever since. I fully understand why Liz was so insistent about crewing on the Chinook.

As I read this book, my admiration for this woman really grew and grew. She worked SO hard and she put her body through the wringer as she did it. This is one person who really gave her all for her country and her mates. So sad about the soldiers who didn't make it :(

When I was reading about the simulated torture scenarios she had to get through, I was absolutely shivering inside. How anyone can get through that kind of thing for real, I just don't know. Man's inhumanity to man clearly knows no bounds.

Liz sounds like an absolute delight, or should I just call her Gloria? That helmet label really made me laugh, lots!

Good on her for being so honest about the psychological struggles she went through. I am sure there are lots of ex-service people who appreciate reading that as well.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first bought this book after I went to a talk that Liz did, explaining the contents of this book. As an aside, she is a charming person and bright and bubbly to talk to.
So, I've now come back after I've finished it. This book moved me to tears. It takes a certain kind of bravery to admit some of the things Liz has admitted in this book, which she has done with grace and dignity. Despite her description of the difficulties after leaving the services, she creates a love letter to the Chinook and her time in Afghanistan and Iraq. A beautiful and moving read which I would recommend to anyone.

[Summer Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was bought this book as a gift for Christmas and after opening, I did not put the book down.

It tells a wonderful life story of someone who has lived so much, seen so much and faced the struggles of that.

Throughout parts I could relate through direct experience, others just through stories told but thoroughly enjoyed.