RAF Brize Norton News

Corporal Shepherd Receives Maintenance Student of the Year Award

On Monday 5 October 2020, Corporal Shepherd was presented with the XXIV Squadron Maintenance Student of the Year Award.

Pictured, Group Captain Blackwell, Commander Air Wing and Corporal Shepherd
Pictured, Group Captain Blackwell, Commander Air Wing and Corporal Shepherd

At a small gathering, Group Captain Blackwell, Commander Air Wing, presented the prestigious award to Corporal Shepherd, which was created in fond memory of Warrant Officer Mac Peace, who was Warrant Officer VC10 & TriStar Maintenance School (VCTMS) 1998 – 2004.

Traditionally given to the most deserving student of the year initially across VC10 and TriStar students, competition was set across the three platforms C-17 Globemaster, C130J Hercules and A400M Atlas with a field of just over 400 engineering students.

Corporal Shepherd pictured with the XXIV Squadron Maintenance Student of the Year Award
Corporal Shepherd pictured with the XXIV Squadron Maintenance Student of the Year Award

Corporal Shepherd said:

“Some parts of the course were definitely challenging, but I always enjoy expanding my technical knowledge. The instructors at XXIV Squadron are brilliant and have even remained helpful well after the course.”

Corporal Shepherd

Corporal Shepherd was by far the strongest student on his course, persistently outperforming his peer group by a large margin. Coming from a mechanical background, his dedication to learning the A400M Atlas was apparent from the outset and evidenced in his impressive first phase exam result of 96%, the highest of the entire year vs an average for this phase of 83%.

Flight Lieutenant Dunkley, Officer Commanding Maintenance Training School said:

“Corporal Shepherd’s positive attitude and drive to acquire information, enabled him to apply theories and techniques to the practical elements with ease. An academically gifted individual, he would assist other students by explaining systems from his understanding and point of view. Regularly leaving a positive lasting impression on XXIV Squadron Instructors, he is a thoroughly deserving individual to receive this respected award.” 

Flight Lieutenant Dunkley
Officer Commanding
Maintenance Training School

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