This week Rev’d (Wg Cdr) David Richardson received the Operational Service Medal for Op SHADER. Rev’d Richardson was deployed on Op SHADER between December 2015 and April 2016 during a very intensive period of operations against Daesh.
“It was inspiring; being out on the ground and seeing personnel training, it was great to be a part of that. I was deployed after only being at Halton for a few weeks so leaving my wife and two children, especially over Christmas, was difficult but it was rewarding in many other ways,” stated Rev’d Richardson.
Image by: RAF Halton Photographic Section
Rev’d Richardson spent a significant amount of time travelling, mostly in Northern Iraq, with training teams supporting Iraqi and Peshmerga Forces, and as a result was the first UK Chaplain to qualify for the medal with clasp which is a superb achievement both professionally and personally.
Rev’d Richardson continued: “No one knew there would be a medal, so I am pleased that my colleagues are now being recognised for all the work they put in.”
The Operational Service Medal, Iraq and Syria, is awarded to an individual who spends 30 days continuous or 45 aggregated service within the territorial boundaries of Iraq or Syria as part of Op Shader. It was first awarded to qualifying personnel in July 18 however Rev’d Richardson was unable to attend the London ceremony with the Defence Secretary. Subsequently, Station Commander RAF Halton, Group Captain Katherine Wilson presented the medal and clasp to Rev’d Richardson in a private ceremony at RAF Halton Officers’ Mess (Halton House) with Station Executives and his wife, Ruth, which was a very special occasion.
Rev’d Richardson finished by stating: “Seeing new recruits coming to Halton after being on Op SHADER is great. The men and women serving in Iraq and Syria have given me more motivation to inform the newest members of the RAF about the amazing work that we do and what they are becoming a part of.”
Rev’d Richardson is due to depart Halton and take up the role of Staff Chaplain to the Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon for the Royal Air Force, the Venerable (AVM) John Ellis, who acted as Reviewing Officer for Pearson Intake at Recruits Training Squadron in December 2018. We wish Rev’d Richardson all the best as he departs the Unit, he has played a central role in the daily life at RAF Halton and we wish him and his family all the best for the future at HQ Air Command and beyond.
