51 SQUADRON RAF
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51 SQUADRON RAF
Grand Master’s Commendation
awarded by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators to
51 SQUADRON RAF
Awarded at the discretion of the Grand Master, HRH The Prince Andrew Duke of York KG GCVO
for an act of valour or outstanding services in the air.
Citation:
No. 51 Squadron operated the Nimrod R1 and was the sole provider of manned airborne electronic surveillance to the United Kingdom before its withdrawal from service earlier this year. Having operated in direct support of every major UK and coalition military operation since the Nimrod R1 came into service in 1974, the men and women of No. 51 Squadron have become synonymous with the provision of an extraordinary Signals Intelligence product to war-fighters and Theatre Commanders as well as other Government and coalition agencies. From the Cold War through campaigns such as Iraq, Sierra Leone and on to present day Afghanistan, the Nimrod R1 has been a consistent contributor to, virtually every operational landscape for 37 years.
The Nimrod R1 has been present over Afghanistan since the commencement of operations there in 2001 and the contribution of No.51 Squadron throughout has been remarkable. With the advent of ‘Operation Herrick’ in 2006, it was apparent that a capability such as the Nimrod R1 would be pivotal to a successful campaign. A significant equipment upgrade in 2008 meant that the Nimrod R1 product was further enhanced, to the degree whereby today it is acknowledged as the electronic surveillance platform of choice for Coalition Commanders in theatre.
The Nimrod R1 deployed in support of ‘Operation Herrick’ for the final time in early May 2010. This last deployment became the longest continuous deployment in the Squadron's history; flying 159 operational sorties and 1,177 flying hours. The enduring nature of this commitment provided considerable engineering, logistic, operational and personnel challenges, all of which were met with alacrity by the air and ground crews. Without doubt, this gold standard capability has been missed since its withdrawal from the Afghan theatre of operations at the end of March 2011.
The venerable Nimrod R1 led from the front since 1974. Such is the high esteem in which it was held, before its withdrawal from service, the Nimrod R1 was granted a 90-day extension of service to meet a requirement for contingent operations that no other platform could provide. There could be no more apposite illustration of the value of this aircraft and its crews to UK Defence. The men and women of No.51 Squadron, past and present, can be justifiably proud of their outstanding contribution to operations. Theirs is a monumental and unequalled achievement enduring over almost four decades, and one for which No.51 Squadron is awarded the Grand Master's Commendation.
The Nimrod R1 has been present over Afghanistan since the commencement of operations there in 2001 and the contribution of No.51 Squadron throughout has been remarkable. With the advent of ‘Operation Herrick’ in 2006, it was apparent that a capability such as the Nimrod R1 would be pivotal to a successful campaign. A significant equipment upgrade in 2008 meant that the Nimrod R1 product was further enhanced, to the degree whereby today it is acknowledged as the electronic surveillance platform of choice for Coalition Commanders in theatre.
The Nimrod R1 deployed in support of ‘Operation Herrick’ for the final time in early May 2010. This last deployment became the longest continuous deployment in the Squadron's history; flying 159 operational sorties and 1,177 flying hours. The enduring nature of this commitment provided considerable engineering, logistic, operational and personnel challenges, all of which were met with alacrity by the air and ground crews. Without doubt, this gold standard capability has been missed since its withdrawal from the Afghan theatre of operations at the end of March 2011.
The venerable Nimrod R1 led from the front since 1974. Such is the high esteem in which it was held, before its withdrawal from service, the Nimrod R1 was granted a 90-day extension of service to meet a requirement for contingent operations that no other platform could provide. There could be no more apposite illustration of the value of this aircraft and its crews to UK Defence. The men and women of No.51 Squadron, past and present, can be justifiably proud of their outstanding contribution to operations. Theirs is a monumental and unequalled achievement enduring over almost four decades, and one for which No.51 Squadron is awarded the Grand Master's Commendation.
Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 29th Oct 2011 at 09:58.
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Things have obviously come a long way from when all the navigators in 51 Sqn were sent on a refresher navigation course at Southampton University during the early years of WW2!
Well done chaps - (and nothing at all to do with bribes and surplus lottery cash!)
Well done chaps - (and nothing at all to do with bribes and surplus lottery cash!)
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Well done guys and girls, IMO, thoroughly deserved. But, how times have changed; I recall getting a severe chat from an RAF colleague for even writing the Squadron number of the Ops Board at Gutersloh.
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The Commendation was presented by the Master of the Guild and the guest of honour, Maj. Gen. David J. Scott, Director Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, HQ USAF Europe
at the Guild's annual Trophies & Awards Banquet held at London's Guildhall last Thursday evening.
at the Guild's annual Trophies & Awards Banquet held at London's Guildhall last Thursday evening.
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raven ten
Congratulations and well done the 'Formation Eating Team' from a founder member.
However the longest deployment was during the Soviet build up in Egypt,Syria and Libya, forty eight weeks with minimum five sorties per week with Comet 2CR.
However the longest deployment was during the Soviet build up in Egypt,Syria and Libya, forty eight weeks with minimum five sorties per week with Comet 2CR.
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A well deserved accolade from another professional body.
May I add a "well done" also to the air and ground crews who served on the Nimrod maritime squadrons who also did an exemplary job?
"Wise Without Eyes"
May I add a "well done" also to the air and ground crews who served on the Nimrod maritime squadrons who also did an exemplary job?
"Wise Without Eyes"
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Congratulations
Well done - throughly deserved, and the commendation certainly shows the insanity of scrapping the R1 and 51 Squadron with it!
Just one question - who do the Association play at golf now?
Just one question - who do the Association play at golf now?
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'scrapping the R1 and 51 Squadron with it!'
The R1 is gone but 51 Sqn is alive and well at Waddington and Offutt, waiting for their RJs.
Last edited by FATTER GATOR; 30th Oct 2011 at 19:24. Reason: Or is that a Waaaaah?
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Interesting thread.
Not only did I join the RAF in the same entry as Captain O W 'Wally' Epton, but served on 51 twice in the 60s. Some of the most interesting times I had whilst in the RAF.
Not only did I join the RAF in the same entry as Captain O W 'Wally' Epton, but served on 51 twice in the 60s. Some of the most interesting times I had whilst in the RAF.
Congrats to all, not forgetting the spanner monkeys on B Flt and especially the boys and girls of EROS who get up nice and early to prepare the crosswords for the pilots
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Most excellent and well deserved !
Why when the aircraft and squadron supply sig int and intelligence
" that no other platform could provide" and." There could be no more apposite illustration of the value of this aircraft and its crews to UK Defence." do our Lords and Masters bin it ?
Why when the aircraft and squadron supply sig int and intelligence
" that no other platform could provide" and." There could be no more apposite illustration of the value of this aircraft and its crews to UK Defence." do our Lords and Masters bin it ?
