he was promoted to flight lieutenant on 11 april 1990. he was posted to iraq as part of operation granby, the british operation during the 1991 gulf war. in 1992, he underwent training to become a qualified helicopter instructor at raf shawbury. he was then posted to no. 230 squadron raf, based at raf aldergrove, northern ireland, with whom he served from 1992 to 1996. in recognition of his "gallant and distinguished services in northern ireland", luck was appointed a member of the order of the british empire in november 1996.