The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton has awarded the RAF’s first Wider Service Medals (WSM) to RAF personnel currently deployed on NATO air policing duties in Romania.
The WSM has been introduced to acknowledge the changing nature of operational activity. It will be awarded to all Armed Forces personnel that have accrued more than 180 days’ aggregated service on eligible operations since December 2018. The medal recognises that Armed Forces personnel are increasingly deployed or used to deliver operational output but not necessarily in roles that expose them to physical risk.
There are a variety of missions that qualify for the medal including NATO air policing in the Black Sea and Baltic regions. The first thirteen of these medals were presented to individuals during a ceremony at the air base in Romania that is hosting the RAF detachment.
Air Chief Marshal Knighton was visiting the RAF detachment at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, where the RAF Typhoons are helping to protect NATO air space. The Typhoons are working alongside Finnish F-18s and Romanian F-16s to provide Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) to intercept any Russian aircraft that encroach NATO airspace.
The RAF detachment is comprised of Typhoons from IX(Bomber) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth and support personnel drawn from across the RAF. There are a wide range of RAF professions required to deploy, support and conduct RAF operations, including Cyberspace Communications Specialists.
“It was an honour to receive my Wider Service Medal today, especially as these were the first to be presented to RAF personnel. Receiving it from the Chief of the Air Staff while on operations was extra special. Having deployed on air policing in Estonia and now in Romania it's great to receive recognition in the form of a service medal.”
Corporal Harry Richards
Wider Service Medal recipient
“The Wider Service Medal recognises the incredible work that our personnel perform globally and the crucial impact of our air operations to deter those who may wish us harm and prevent future conflicts. Congratulations to the first 13 personnel from the RAF, who have been recognised.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton
Chief of the Air Staff
The introduction of the medals was announced in March 2024. These are the first WSMs to be awarded to RAF personnel, the remaining medals will be awarded to eligible personnel over the coming months.
