On Saturday 12 September 2020, Senior Aircraftsmen ‘PJ’ Smith and Roly Mills were awarded the 3rd Clasp to the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal.
During a visit to RAF Brize Norton, Group Captain Jo Lincoln, A4 Force Element Commander presented the Clasps to the Airmen who are members of No. 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The award of the clasp marked over 35 years’ service that these airmen have given to the Royal Air Force.
They originally joined No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron in 1984 and served with them until coming across to 501 Squadron in 2014 and 2015 respectively. During the last 35 years they have seen the developing involvement of Reserves in current operations and were first mobilised to participate in Operation GRANBY (First Gulf War) in 1991, and more recently Afghanistan.
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Senior Aircraftsman PJ Smith, a Mechanical Transport (MT) driver on 501 Squadron, is currently employed by AirTanker, however prior to that, he worked for SERCO in the Air Cargo Section at RAF Brize Norton during the period of increased support to operations in Middle East and Afghanistan. Roly Mills is also an MT driver, both on 501 Squadron and in his civilian career where he works for a defence related transport company. Both have mobilised during their careers, Roly has mobilised eight times the most recent ones being in Kandahar and Akrotiri for the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron.
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Officer Commanding 501 Squadron, Squadron Leader Andy Marshall said:
“I have known both Airmen for over 20 years and have previously commanded them in the Air Movements world. It is a significant achievement to reach 35 years’ service in any career, and it is good to see these lifelong friends reach this significant milestone and receive their clasps together.”
Squadron Leader Andy Marshall
Officer Commanding
Number 501 Squadron
