HE was unarmed and he was there to repair aeroplanes.

But when RAF aircraft technician Sergeant Kevin Rae found himself under attack at Baghdad International Airport he said instinct took over.

He led his team to safety through a hail of bullets - and today his York family were celebrating after he was awarded one of the service's top commendations.

Sgt Rae, a former Joseph Rowntree School pupil, in York, got away as intruders broke into the airfield in an action RAF chiefs said was "in the finest traditions of the service".

Sgt Rae, 37, works as a propulsion tradesman and is charged with the vital task of servicing aircraft. He has been dispatched to the Gulf on a number of occasions.

He was awarded the personal commendation of the Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group following his "exceptional" actions on October 23, 2003.

Sgt Rae, who has been in the RAF for 19 years, was detailed to lead a three-man team to assess aircraft at Kirkuk before their recovery.

The plane in which he was travelling was forced to divert to Baghdad after Kirkuk was placed under mortar attack.

But, on arrival at Baghdad, Sgt Rae - his commendation says - "found himself unarmed in the middle of an airfield under attack where intruders had breached the airfield inner perimeter".

He said today: "It was a stressful situation to be in, but our training takes over. The main thing was to look after the men.

"On the ground, it was pretty much every man for himself, but we worked as a team. I am not a solider. I am an aircraft technician. This was not the situation I would normally find myself in.

"I was delighted to receive the commendation. It is always good to get recognition but I was part of a three-man team and everyone played a part."

His parents, Brenda and Jim, live in Wigginton. Brenda said: "I am very proud of him. He didn't say a word to us about it. I think it is a great honour and he has done very well indeed."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, August 26, 2005