Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Afghanistan operations M.C. group of four awarded to Ranger A. W. Owens, Royal Irish, who was decorated for his gallantry during a Taliban ambush in June 2008 - an ambush that developed into a 60 minute firefight

Military Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially inscribed ‘Rgr. A. W. Owens, R. Irish, 25160386’ and dated ‘2009’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25160386 Pte. A. W. Owens, R. Irish); Iraq 2003 (25160386 Rgr. A. W. Owens, R. Irish); Operational Service Medal 2002, for Afghanistan (25160386 Rgr. A. W. Owens, R. Irish), the third with edge bruise, otherwise good very fine and better (4) £10000-15000

M.C. London Gazette 6 March 2009. The original recommendation - dated 4 August 2008 - states:

‘Ranger Owens was a junior member of a Royal Irish Regiment six man operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) working with the Afghan National Army (ANA) in the Kajaki area of operations. On 17 June 2008 he left his forward operating base to conduct a domination patrol in the area north of Shabaz Kheyl and Kanzi. Owens was acting as a monitor of an eight man ANA section part X Coy 2 Para.

As the patrol progressed OC X Coy decided that the ANA patrol should clear and dominate the open ground North West of Kanzi. This area was only 300m from known enemy positions in the villages of Bagai Kheyl and Machikheyl. The platoon had seen action here on three previous occasions. Owens was mentoring the lead section of the Company. At 1925 hrs as he moved towards a mud walled compound the section suddenly came under precise and deadly fire from rocket propelled grenades and automatic rifles. The section dashed to cover in the compound as bullets cracked around their heads. Once firm they began to engage the enemy positions. Owens radioed the initial contact report before joining the ANA in suppressing the enemy. He set about organising the ANA's fire positions and resupply, so that they could win the firefight. All the while heavy accurate fire from four different locations conspired to terrify the ANA. The supporting ANA sections were also pinned down by lethal fire from other Taliban positions.

Owens could have put himself in a position of cover and waited for the fire support from the remainder of X Coy, however throughout the 60 minute contact, Owens continually attended to the ANA section moving constantly between positions encouraging them and stiffening their resolve. Owens instilled fire discipline conserving ammunition and keeping the ANA in cover when not firing. He did so in full view of the enemy putting himself in considerable danger to guarantee the effectiveness of the ANA. Owens continued to send accurate radio reports giving detailed grid references. Then he co-ordinated and adjusted indirect fire with mortars artillery and aircraft. Identifying a threat from a flank, he swiftly gave fire control orders for two anti-bunker missiles to strike the enemy. As the battle transitioned from day to night fighting, Owens ensured that the ANA section maintained its discipline issuing arcs of fire and making certain that each man registered the Taliban locations. This was nearly to cost him his life when supporting ANA sections to the rear saw Owen's movement in the dim light and engaged him.

As the contact subsided Owens under orders from OC X Company organised a night withdrawal under fire with artillery support. Once back in relative safety, Owens accounted for his men and continued the patrol cognisant of indiscriminate Taliban mortar fire. Owens suspected a nearby village had suffered collateral casualties. Thoughtfully he led his ANA to the village to check for civilian casualties before recovering to the Patrol Base. No casualties had occurred but the villagers were grateful for the reassurance.

Owen's role was to mentor the ANA, but his actions showed leadership and maturity well above that expected of his rank and experience. His presence fortified the ANA and galvanised their resolve especially as light began to fade. Owens displayed courageous individual actions in face of the enemy. He also demonstrated a clear grasp of the key principle of counter insurgency. By checking for civilian casualties he engendered a level of empathy with the local population, which no amount of fighting could establish. His performance in Kajaki bore the hallmarks of personal bravery and selflessness commitment. His acts thoughts and valour are most deserving of high recognition.’

Alan Owens was discharged in January 2011, after eight years with the Colours.

Sold with a file of congratulatory letters from senior officers in respect of the the recipient’s award of the M.C., together with a presentation ‘Police’ wristwatch and two presentation tankards, and a DVD of his investiture.