Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

RAF New Years Honours 2019

Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

RAF New Years Honours 2019

Old 28th Dec 2018, 21:42
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Stamford
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
RAF New Years Honours 2019

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/t...r-honours-2019

ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS

PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH

As Companions

Air Marshal Sean Keith Paul REYNOLDS, CBE

Air-Vice Marshal Andrew Mark TURNER, CBE

PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

As Commanders

Group Captain Mark Robert FLEWIN

Air-Vice Marshal Michael Patrick HART

Group Captain Timothy Telfer JONES

As Officers

Wing Commander Mark Donald ABRAHAMS, MBE

Wing Commander Paul John CROOK

Group Captain Ian James FANCOURT

Wing Commander Kevin Lee GATLAND

Wing Commander Christopher Robert MELVILLE, MBE

Squadron Leader David Alan MONTENEGRO

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Nicola Suzanne THOMAS

As Members

Flight Sergeant Brian James AITKEN

Warrant Officer Ian Melvyn BALDERSTONE

Wing Commander Garry Peter BALL

Sergeant Paul Gerard BERRY

Squadron Leader Dheeraj BHASIN

Corporal Denise BONEHAM

Corporal (now Acting Sergeant) Andrew James BRANSTON

Flight Lieutenant Michael Anthony BROADHURST

Warrant Officer Simon John HARDWICK

Wing Commander John Anthony MCCARTHY

Wing Commander Mark Douglas MCNULTY

Squadron Leader Joanne Elizabeth ROE

Wing Commander Daniel LUNNON-WOOD

QUEEN’S VOLUNTEER RESERVES MEDAL

Wing Commander Kayode Oludaisi Adesegun ADEBOYE

Flight Lieutenant Jane Tasmin COWLING
Stuff is offline  
Old 28th Dec 2018, 22:05
  #2 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Stamford
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
and the extended version with commendations: https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/royal-air-force-new-year-honours-list-2019

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Alan George HEAD

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Mrs Nerys BELL

Mr William James ESPIE

Mr George Brownlie PRENTICE

Meritorious Service Medal, CAS, Deputy Commanders' and AOC Commendations

3 FTS RAFC Cranwell

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant M. K. FALVEY FTRS

Flight Sergeant P. J. SIMMONS

Mr N. SCOPES

Mr M. WALKER

90 SU RAF Leeming

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader S. J. BOWYER

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Corporal W. J. ARNOLD

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Sergeant N. W. E. CORLESS

Sergeant K. A. GRUBEY

Corporal K. S. COXON FTRS

Team Commendations

90 Signals Unit - RAF Web Team

90 Signals Unit, C&I Sqn Rapid Application, Innovation & Development Flt RAVEN Team

90 Signals Unit, 5 Sqn - Information Systems (IS) Hub Team

591 Signals Unit Engineering Support

COS Cap

Meritorious Service Medal

Master Aircrew P. S. EDWARDES

DComs' Commendation

Wing Commander K. J. TERRETT

HQ 11 Gp

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer M. I. J. SOLLEY

VCDS Commendation

Wing Commander A. F. R. MILLSOM NZBD

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant N. A. DOODY

HQ 22 Gp

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. CRIGHTON FTRS

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Mr P. FISHER

AO A4

Comd JFC Commendation

Acting Warrant Officer A. J. BROWN

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. G. K. GARRETT

Team Commendation

RAF Support Services Team

AO A6

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. D. ASPINALL

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader A. E. LITTLEFIELD

ACOS Career & Talent Mgt

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant S. M. FENWICK

DComs' Commendation

Flight Lieutenant G. L. BEAN

Team Commendation

ACOS Manning RAF Disclosures

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant L. CLARK FTRS

ACOS Ops

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Acting Sergeant C. M. A. HEEREY FTRS

ACOS Pers Del

CAS Commendation

Warrant Officer P. A. CHADWICK FTRS

DComs' Commendation

Mrs E. F. FRYER

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader E. A. CALVERT

ACOS Pers Pol

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader V. J. LITTLECHILD

BM Force Cdr

CAS Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant A. J. HIGGINS

HQ Air Cadets Cranwell

DComs' Commendation

Wing Commander D. C. McCRAE

Squadron Leader R. W. FOSTER

Squadron Leader S. M. NAEEM

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader R. A. BROWNE

Squadron Leader J. R. GODDEN

Squadron Leader C. HAYNES

Squadron Leader J. V. LOXTON

Squadron Leader R. L. NEEDHAM

Squadron Leader C. E. P. SKIERA

Squadron Leader D. J. WITHNALL

Flight Lieutenant E. BUSBY

Flight Lieutenant D. A. HILL

Flight Lieutenant P. J. HUGHES

Flight Lieutenant E. WALTON

Warrant Officer (RAF Air Cadets) I. K. THOMAS

Sergeant A. P. DIPPLE FTRS

Mrs T. N. BOULTON

Team Commendations

National Aerospace Camp Team

Northern Ireland Wing ATC Centennial Wings Project Team

HQ RAF Recruiting and Selection

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. K. DONNELLY

Acting Flight Lieutenant K. J. DORMAN

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. L. ROSS

Mr J. GRAINGER

Team Commendation

P2 Processing Team

Air 38 Gp Med Ops

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant C. L. WHEELER

Air Warfare Centre

DComs' Team Commendation

Joint Air Delivery Test & Evaluation Unit, Air Portability Section

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Sergeant P. D. BAGWELL

Sergeant A. E. WILSON

Corporal S. A. SHORT

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. CONSTANTINE

DCBRNC Winterbourne Gunner

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer Class 2 J. E. JORDAN

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Staff Sergeant J. D. MEEHAN

Mr N. LOVELOCK

Team Commendation

Defence CBRN Centre

DCLPA Worthy Down

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Acting Sergeant A. J. HART

DCTT

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant S. TENNISON

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader G. L. THOMAS

Chief Technician A. J. BROOKS

DComs' Team Commendation

RAF Cosford Air Show Team

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Captain S. M. MURFIN

Flight Sergeant M. P. SWEENEY FTRS

Sergeant M. A. McNEE

Corporal A. I. COLLINS

Mr P. CATTON

Team Commendations

MOD St Athan RAF100 Organisational Team

Number 4 School of Technical Training STEM Outreach Team

RAF100 Relay Baton Design and Manufacturing Team

Regimental Training Wing, 11th (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment

DSPG Southwick Park

CAS Commendation

Sergeant R. P. SPILLANE-SMITH

DSTO RAF St Mawgan

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant N. S. WESTON

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Corporal R. J. JACKSON FTRS

Corporal H. M. STACKHOUSE FTRS

JFACC

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant B. A. KINKADE RAuxAF

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. R. AYLETT

JFC

CAS Commendation

Sergeant F. J. TINSLEY

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader A. HALL FTRS

Flight Lieutenant T. F. O. FOOTE

Warrant Officer V. S. TAYLOR FTRS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader A. P. WALKER

Sergeant N. P. DASHWOOD

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader B. H. A. COLLINS

Corporal J. SAMUELS

JHC

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer G. CHIVERS

Master Aircrew G. JONES

Master Aircrew R. L. KNOWLES MBE

Warrant Officer C. McKNIGHT

Master AircrewA. M. NEAL MBE

Warrant Officer M. P. O'MAHONY

CAS Commendation

Flight Lieutenant S. M. HEWER

DComs' Commendation

Chief Technician P. A. WAKEFIELD

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer M. J. MAGUIRE

Flight Sergeant S. C. B. POPE

Corporal K. S. FLYNN

Corporal S. P. MCNAMARA

Senior Aircraftman T. DUCEY

Mrs M. COATES

Team Commendations

RAF Benson Accounts Flight

RAF Benson Blue Sky Management Ideas Team

RAF Benson Catering Flight

RAF Benson Station Engagement Team & Photographic Section

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Senior Aircraftman M. J. L. EVANS

Commander JHC Commendation

Corporal L. COOPER

Sergeant G. BATES

Flight Lieutenant M. CROSBY-JONES

Commander JHC Commendation – Team Awards

Chinook Support Centre

Aircraft Explosives Bay

MOD Abbey Wood DE&S

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer P. J. HALL

Chief Technician R. J. BATES

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer K. ROBERTSON

RAF Boulmer

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Corporal C. J. McNEE

Senior Aircraftman P. J. BRIGHT

RAF Brize Norton

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Master Aircrew R. S. T. ORR

Flight Sergeant R. BROMELL

Flight Sergeant N. W. POTTER

Acting Flight Sergeant C. CURTIS

Sergeant N. CONNELL

Sergeant K. D. CURLE

Sergeant D. E. HARDY

Acting Sergeant P. M. ROBERTS

Corporal C. P. VICKERS

Senior Aircraftman M. BISSET RAuxAF

Mr P. LEE

Team Commendations

LXX Squadron A400M Acceptance Engineering Team

ZZ171 Engineering Recovery Team, 99 Squadron

Ground Engineering Flight Duty Crew

Ground Fuels Section, RAF Brize Norton

Supply Control Accounting Flight, RAF Brize Norton

RAF CAM

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader P. A. GOODWIN FTRS

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Corporal R. I. HERRING

Mr C. CLAYSON

RAF Coningsby

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader J. E. FORDHAM

Senior Aircraftman (Technician) D. C. FARRER

Team Commendation

Royal Air Force Coningsby Armament Engineering Flights Weapon Training Cell

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant P. A. BEDSON

Sergeant G. S. DAVIDSON

Corporal M. W. KIRKPATRICK

Team Commendations

RAF Coningsby Accounts Flight and Presidents of the Service Funds Internal Audit Board

Royal Air Force Coningsby Movements Flight

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Trade Leaders

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer R. G. COLLINGE

RAFC Cranwell

DComs' Commendation

Mr J. S. FOX

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Sergeant J. T. H. SILK

Aircraftman R. M. W. CHINNOCK

Mrs K. CARTER

Team Commendation

Royal Air Force College Cranwell Air Traffic Control Squadron

RAF Digby

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. SPOUR

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Corporal C. W. E. McCLEARY

RAF Halton

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant D. E. TRIMMINGHAM

Team Commendation

Personnel Services Flight

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. JACOBS

Flight Sergeant S. L. HAMMOND

Mrs R. FITCH

Mrs E. MALLAM

Mrs A. TURNER

Team Commendation

Commercial Business Team

RAF High Wycombe

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flying Officer A. R. P. SOUTH

Sergeant M. DEL FRATE

Team Commendation

RAF High Wycombe Physical Education Flight

RAF Honington

DComs' Commendation

Flight Sergeant R. HOPPER

Team Commendation

27 Squadron RAF Regiment

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Sergeant T. M. CORRIGAN

Sergeant S. J. MULLIGAN

Sergeant S. PERCIVAL

Corporal K. L. CHOUDHARY

Lance Corporal M. D. HODGSON

RAF Leeming

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer A. J. BEATTIE

Warrant Officer M. R. PRICE

Flight Sergeant L. L. GRIFFITHS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. H. STEWART

Flight Sergeant L. J. NELSON

Sergeant G. MACDONALD FTRS

Team Commendations

Mobility Section

Operational Training Centre

RAF Linton on Ouse

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant W. S. ALLEN

RAF Lossiemouth

DComs' Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant S. McCINTYRE

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant I. G. BRIGHT FTRS

Warrant Officer A. P. S. KIDD

Flight Sergeant A. J. R. ALEXANDER

Corporal A. C. M. ROSS

Senior Aircraftman (Technician) L. J. ELLIOTT

Senior Aircraftman J. A. McWILLIAMS

Mrs J. ROWLAND

Team Commendation

6 Squadron Operation SHADER Engineering Rear Party Leadership Team

RAF Marham

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer M. G. INDER

Warrant Officer S. J. ROBINSON

Chief Technician J. M. GOTTS

CAS Commendation

Sergeant N. J. LINES FTRS

DComs' Commendation

Flight Sergeant M. E. ROBERTS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant C. L. NEWTON

Flight Sergeant T. NORMAN FTRS

Flight Sergeant J. M. O'CONNELL

Team Commendations

Royal Air Force Marham Air Traffic Control Squadron

Lightning Personnel Working Group

RAF Northolt

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. WOOLDRIDGE

Flight Sergeant G. LIVERSIDGE

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader T. L. HOWELL

Sergeant G. A. LOFTUS FTRS

Ms P. HUNT

RAF Police

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer P. A. BROWN

Flight Sergeant L. A. DENTON

Flight Sergeant C. E. HALL

RAF Scampton

DComs' Commendation

Senior Aircraftman G. BARRASS

RAF Shawbury

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Major L. P. WOODHOUSE MBE

Flight Lieutenant R. J. HAIGH

Corporal M. S. HUDA

Mr D. TULLY-FEWTRELL

Team Commendation

SAOC Training Design Team

RAF Spadeadam

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Mr J. HUDSON

RAF St Mawgan

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant D. J. KEANE

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Sergeant P. STANSFIELD

RAF(U) Swanwick

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant S. BENSON

RAF Valley

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant A. E. KEMP

AOC 22 Gp Team Commendation

TRiM RAF Leeming

RAF Waddington

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. A. ELLIOTT

Warrant Officer A. N. THOMSON

Master Aircrew M. W. UTTING

Warrant Officer A. WOOLFORD

Master Aircrew K. S. YOUNG

CAS Commendation

Chief Technician S. P. HUGHES

Sergeant A. LILLEY

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant R. J. BASSETT

Flight Sergeant D. D. HALLS

Chief Technician C. P. WESTOBY

Sergeant J. C. GALLEY

Team Commendations

P-8A POSEIDON Course Design Team

14 Squadron Sensor Operators

RAF Wittering

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer N. S. CULTER

CAS Commendation

Corporal P. J. HERRON

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant S. A. ACKLAND

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader A. R. CLARKE

Flight Sergeant A. FOLEY FTRS

Sergeant R. S. CHAWLIA

Team Commendations

RAF Wittering STEM

HQ Air Cmd Physical Condition Survey Team

1 AMW - UK MAMS

RAF Wyton

DComs' Commendation

Acting Sergeant K. A. NORGATE
Stuff is offline  
Old 28th Dec 2018, 22:58
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 1,706
Received 35 Likes on 22 Posts
Congratulations and well done all
Davef68 is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 06:24
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 7 Posts
Congratulations to all recipients.

Interesting that if Wigston is not knighted in the QBH List in June or on some 'out of phase' award, he will be the first ACM for ages not to have been knighted and certainly the first CAS

Old Duffer
Old-Duffer is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 07:45
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Old-Duffer
Congratulations to all recipients.

Interesting that if Wigston is not knighted in the QBH List in June or on some 'out of phase' award, he will be the first ACM for ages not to have been knighted and certainly the first CAS

Old Duffer
I suspect that his and the other designate service chiefs will appear in the QBHL 19, along with the retiring service chiefs who usually get their knighthoods upgraded to GCB.

Congratulations to the NYHL 19 recipients.
Black Swan is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 08:22
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,007
Received 47 Likes on 25 Posts
Group Captain Mark Robert FLEWIN
Nominative determinism?
Hydromet is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 09:14
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: OAKN
Age: 79
Posts: 33
Received 13 Likes on 4 Posts
Re Wiggie’s K

CGS been in post for 6 months and only just got his K .
9BIT is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 10:28
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Honours

Team commendations, an innovation............?
middlesbrough is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 12:15
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dreamland
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by middlesbrough
Team commendations, an innovation............?
Been happening for at least 10 years
Harley Quinn is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 15:21
  #10 (permalink)  

Gentleman Aviator
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
Age: 74
Posts: 3,696
Received 49 Likes on 23 Posts
And WTF is "ACOS Career & Talent Management"??

Could this be what used to be the Air Sec?

If I may borrow a phrase from m'learned BEags - wanquespeak!
teeteringhead is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 16:25
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,803
Received 135 Likes on 63 Posts
I am somewhat boggled by various terminology and Command thingies, but then I have been out for about 25 years!

Anyway, I’m sure the recipients are both well deserved and pleased.
MPN11 is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 17:08
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Wherever it is this month
Posts: 1,784
Received 75 Likes on 34 Posts
Seems to be many fewer Ks being given out on the military lists in recent years. 3* used to be solidly ‘in the zone’ for it but seemingly rare now, perhaps why CGS took and CAS will soon take post without it. I fancy it says something about how recent generations of very senior officers have been regarded by the Whitehall clique that decides upon these things.
Easy Street is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 18:19
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,728
Received 2,724 Likes on 1,159 Posts
Commendations not worth the paper they are printed on in the real world, OBE etc simply for getting promoted and pointless, often earned by others, the rest well done.



..

Last edited by NutLoose; 29th Dec 2018 at 18:30.
NutLoose is online now  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 18:20
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The US of A, and sometimes Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great to see a few movers and shakers in the P-8A programme being recognised.
betty swallox is offline  
Old 29th Dec 2018, 21:09
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Darling - where are we?
Posts: 2,580
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by teeteringhead
And WTF is "ACOS Career & Talent Management"??

Could this be what used to be the Air Sec?

If I may borrow a phrase from m'learned BEags - wanquespeak!
It’s what we all know and love as Manning! Although we all know Manning doesn’t do career management, so it is some what if a misnomer. Not sure what their awards are for - upsetting the biggest number of people in one month perhaps?
Melchett01 is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2019, 11:06
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Darling - where are we?
Posts: 2,580
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Having had another look at the list I must say I’m slightly surprised that the RAF100 Parade Commander got nothing given the massively high profile nature of the event and the general opinion that it was a rather good parade. Especially when the likes of the St Athan RAF 100 Team got a commendation! Does rather serve to reinforce the slightly random nature of these things.
Melchett01 is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2019, 11:30
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 7 Posts
I agree with Melchett01 - Anne-Marie Houghton (nee Daw) did a great job and I'd like to see the Army try that on with TOTC one year (although the Kings Troop RHA has been lead by a female Major). Furthermore, there were some other bits of media in which she appeared and in my opinion, she did the RAF proud.

Perhaps her reward will appear in the form of a thick stripe in the near future.

I also thought that under the 'new' rules Nikki Thomas ought to have been a DSO not an OBE

Old Duffer
Old-Duffer is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2019, 11:57
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Darling - where are we?
Posts: 2,580
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by Old-Duffer
I agree with Melchett01 - Anne-Marie Houghton (nee Daw) did a great job and I'd like to see the Army try that on with TOTC one year (although the Kings Troop RHA has been lead by a female Major). Furthermore, there were some other bits of media in which she appeared and in my opinion, she did the RAF proud.

Perhaps her reward will appear in the form of a thick stripe in the near future.

I also thought that under the 'new' rules Nikki Thomas ought to have been a DSO not an OBE

Old Duffer
You may be right about the promotion. However, I recall CAS’ comment about 10 years back that he was disappointed that more people weren’t put up for awards for excellence in the regular duties, and that they seemed to be focused on those who had done secondary duties, community work etc, which although notable was but one aspect. I felt quite smug as I had put my FS up for an award for just such excellence and he ended up with an MBE - the only one amongst all the secondary Duty, charity and sports based awards.

The question is if that is the intent, have those senior officers running the recognition boards in between the initial submissions and the final award been told that?
Melchett01 is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2019, 13:01
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Wherever it is this month
Posts: 1,784
Received 75 Likes on 34 Posts
DSO vs OBE? The DSO is only available on the operational honours lists as it is a gallantry award relating to leadership in a specific operation (and is available to all ranks, in theory anyway). Awards on the Birthday and New Year lists are for non-operational matters, or the accumulation over time of meritorious achievements on operations; gallantry is specifically excluded, which is why peacetime bravery awards like AFCs and QCBAs only ever appear as addenda to the operational lists. An OBE can be awarded on either list and relates to meritorious rather than gallant service. So Gp Capt Thomas’s award is most likely for achievement over a span of time rather than a narrowly bounded set of operational activity. If you were referring to the rank criteria, CBE is ‘par’ for meritorious service by gp capts but as the list records her as “wg cdr, now gp capt” it’s evident that the award was earned in the lower rank where OBE is the going rate. There is flex to go up or down a level though, as you can see with Sqn Ldr Montenegro getting an OBE and a wg cdr getting a MBE.

The official view seems to be that excellence in primary duties is rewarded with a good annual report, not awards. To get something ‘just’ for doing your job there needs to be something that makes it ‘special’: acting in higher rank, coping with extremely adverse circumstances, etc etc. And of course your boss a) needs to care and b) needs to be able to write well! Those are probably the blockers for many deserving candidates.

The relative dearth of knighthoods for senior RAF officers in recent years is proof that “doing your job” is not sufficient for these awards any more. I agree that it’s a shame... we should be encouraging excellence in our primary duties instead of the extra flummery.

Last edited by Easy Street; 1st Jan 2019 at 13:20.
Easy Street is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2019, 14:02
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Darling - where are we?
Posts: 2,580
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
So is the AVM being awarded a CBE a bit of an anomaly then?
Melchett01 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.