On Friday 18th October 2024 RAF Brize Norton hosted its annual BRAVOS Awards evening.
The BRAVOS – Brize’s Recognition Awards for Valued and Outstanding Service, annually celebrates the successes and achievements of Station personnel across the Whole Force.
Serving personnel, civil servants and contractors at RAF Brize Norton were nominated in one of ten categories, which highlight the breadth and diversity of the achievements of personnel at the RAF’s largest base. The event recognises those whose commitment and devotion make a positive difference to the Station and to the wider community.
The evening was, once again, held inside one of Brize Norton’s aircraft hangars, which transformed into a stunning awards venue against the backdrop of an Atlas C Mk.1 (A400M). Sporting achievements, volunteering work and operational commitments were all recognised at the awards ceremony.
This year’s winners were:
Astra Award – Sergeant Reade
Recognising a need for greater efficiency in data reporting, Sergeant Reade took the initiative to develop a newly configured stats reporting system. The system captures various critical information, such as freight/passenger weight for specific operations and allows users to quickly and easily interrogate the data with just a click of a button.
Best Business Award - Carterton Family Centre
In Oct 2023, the Carterton Family Centre took a bold step in its provision of early years and youth activities, in the face of funding and support challenges faced by many charities post Covid-19, rapidly expanding from a 2-days a week programme to a full 5-days a week provision across a broad swathe of year groups. The small team of staff and volunteers at the Centre have provided over 250 sessions, delivering over 2,000 visits by RAF Brize Norton Service Families and nearly 4000 civilian visits.
Commander Air Wing’s Award – A400M D-Day 80 Prep Team and Flight Lieutenant Tippett
The Atlas Force were tasked with generating four A400M aircraft to support the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, despatching Para Troopers in the low-level configuration over Normandy. This meant over 40 Engineering hours per aircraft to prepare them to take part.
Flight Lieutenant Lord VC DFC Memorial Award – Flight Sergeant Dalziel
In Personal Support Flight Sergeant Dalziel has provided outstanding service, helping individuals encountering a multitude of difficulties. An individual who commands respect from all those who interact with her and that of the wider RAF Personal Support community who frequently seek her guidance.
Group Captain Robinson DSO MC DFC Memorial Award – Squadron Leader Bowen
Squadron Leader Bowen spearheaded every operational deployment and National Standby activation of A400M over the past 6 months as the Readiness Flight Commander for Atlas Force. As the first captain for the humanitarian aid air drop operations into Gaza for Operation Underhill, Bowen managed a high pressure, key strategic task for UK Defence, conducting air drop from the A400M on operations for the first time.
Operational Safety Award - Sergeant Whitehead
Sergeant Whitehead has revolutionised the management of safety reports by developing a streamlined digital process that is accessible and intuitive. This work has helped eliminate safety blind spots to Engineering executives thus exponentially increasing Operation Safety.
Sporting Achievement Award – Corporal Cutler
Corporal Cutler has been championing the sport of Olympic Weightlifting as an individual, RAF team Captain and Team manager; by not just representing RAF Brize Norton at the annual Inter-service championships, but also on an international stage competing at British, English and European level events. His selection as UKAF team captain at the inaugural competition against the UK nations held him in good stead to win two British Masters titles.
Station Commander’s Award – Warrant Officer Rezazadeh-Wilson
Warrant Officer Rezazadeh-Wilson has been the driving force behind RAF Brize Norton's lead in Diversity and Inclusion for many years and the lead authority for the Station D&I team. Annually delivering briefs to hundreds of staff across the unit, to raise awareness, she has ensured that the Whole Force working environment is accepting of all - adding to the operational effectiveness of the Station.
Top Team Award – 1312 Flight
In July a distress call was made by a fishing vessel over 200nm east of the Falkland Islands. The weather was extreme: storm force winds, heavy seas and significant thunderstorms. The Mount Pleasant A400M scrambled, found the ship and established as On Scene Commander. With absolute certainty, the heroic actions of these A400M and Voyager crews saved many lives.
Valliant Volunteer Award - Military Ambulance Co-Responders
As a Military Co-responder supporting the South-Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), the team are trained to deliver life-saving skills. They respond alongside frontline services to 999 life threating emergency calls. Providing critical lifesaving care, the range of tasks include assisting elderly members of the community, to strokes, heart attacks, and seizures.
Station Commander, Group Captain Henton said:
“The BRAVOS Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of our incredible personnel. Our people are truly at the heart of this station, and the volume and quality of this year’s submissions highlight the exceptional talent and dedication across the RAF Brize Norton Enterprise. I am incredibly proud to serve as Station Commander to such an outstanding team!”
Group Captain Henton
Station Commander
The evening also saw RAF Brize Norton presented with the George Stainforth Trophy.
Presented annually, this prestigious award recognises excellence on operational activities and the Royal Air Force station that has done the most to sustain and enhance the reputation of the Service. The trophy was presented to the Station Commander by Air Officer Commanding No.2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Appleton.
