Pilot recognized by Governor General for Nunavut rescue

The pilot involved in a heroic helicopter rescue in Nunavut has been awarded a Medal of Bravery by the Governor General of Canada.

Four years ago, James Kitchen and his colleague Will Ward were in Iqaluit when they heard about a hunterwho had fallen through the ice roughly 200 kilometres away.

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"When you fly in the bush and remote places you get called out quite a bit to help local authorities and search and rescue to give people a hand when they need it," says Kitchen.

That's exactly what he and Ward, an engineer, did on March 13, 2011, when they plucked David Alexander from the freezing watersof Frobisher Bay. Jimmy Noble Jr. was on solid ice when Alexander's snowmobile sank through soft ice and hecalled for help.

This month, Kitchen was thanked for his efforts by Gov.Gen.David Johnston. Ward was recognized at an earlier ceremony.

"While Mr. Kitchen skilfully kept his helicopter hovering over the water, Mr. Ward reached down to rescue the two victims, pulling them into the helicopter one after the other, all while battling the unforgiving Arctic winds," said a statement from Rideau Hall.

Kitchen says he never expected to receive recognition.

"All I really did is go to work."