Blue Eagles

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Army Historic Aircraft Flight | The Museum of Army Flying | Army Air Corps Recruiting

Blue Eagles former Leader honoured

The 20th February saw a former Team Leader of the Blue Eagles attend an investiture at Buckingham Palace to be awarded the MBE.

WO1 Mark 'Cuz' Curry MBE at Buckingham Palace WO1 Mark ‘Cuz’ Curry was leader of the Blue Eagles in 2000, his fourth season with the Team. Previously he had been one of the four Gazelle pilots, before becoming Team Manager for the 1999 season, and then Team Leader in 2000. The display he choreographed has since been recognised as one of the great helicopter display routines, displaying the skills of the pilots and capabilities of the aircraft, at the same time as fulfilling two contradictory requirements of display flying; filling the largest volume of sky possible, at the same time as keeping something exciting happening in front of the spectators every second of the time.

Cuz’s routine managed to combine answers to all these needs and more, and was very well received at every display by both the public and professional audiences. One professional air show commentator said: "It was quite amazing, the Team set the sky on fire, and really thrilled the crowd with their manoeuvres throughout the year. The Blue Eagles really are going from strength to strength." As a result of his hard work over the entire season, and for his contribution to the Team over previous years, Cuz was awarded the MBE for services to display flying. On his investiture he said: "This is a great honour, and belongs to the whole Team as much as anyone. To be presented with the MBE by HRH Prince Charles, the Colonel of the Army Air Corps, was the icing on the cake of an incredible day."

Cuz is currently serving with the AAC in Germany, but as is common for Army Air Corps pilots in these turbulent times, is flying the Lynx all over the world with the Corps.

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