On Friday 19th October, RAF Brize Norton held a glittering awards ceremony honouring the nominees for the Brize Recognition Awards for Valued and Outstanding Service (BRAVOS).
Unsung heroes, hard working volunteers and inspirational sporting champions were all praised during an evening, compered by X Factor voice-over star Mr Peter Dickson. The sixth BRAVOS awards evening on Friday, saw eight trophies presented to those who go above and beyond to help the Station and local community.
The evening was attended by many VIP guests including Deputy Commander Operations, Air Marshal Stuart Atha, Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal David Cooper, and Air Mobility Force Commander, Air Commodore Domonic Stamp. Also in attendance were the Lord and Lady Mayor of Oxford, and the Lord Mayor of Carterton.
The winners included Chief Technician Michelle Burgess who won the Sporting Achievement Award for being an inspirational advocate for sport. In her spare time Chief Technician Burgess has for several years represented her local golf club, Newquay and the County of Cornwall in high profile competitions. She regularly volunteers to teach golf and pass on her love for the game as well as promoting RAF sport.
Sergeant Becky Quinn won the Valiant Volunteer Award for her part as the Deputy Team Leader in the RAF Brize Norton Military Co-responder team. The team is made up of volunteers who receive medical training enabling them to respond to life threatening 999 calls. Sergeant Quinn has attended innumerable medical emergencies and, in the process, has saved countless lives.
“I enjoy helping others and find it really rewarding, it’s very humbling to receive this award. The Co-responders team do a fantastic job and this award is recognition for them all too, because without them I wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Sergeant Becky Quinn
Valiant Volunteer winner
Mr Ian McNeil, Operations Director of Boeing Defence UK presented the Total Safety Award to Sergeant James Clifton who has been an integral part of No. LXX Squadron in his role as Unit Flight Safety Officer and Lead Crewman Planner. In addition to chairing the monthly Flight Safety Action Group, Sergeant Clifton has single-handedly reinvigorated and continues to lead the Bow Tie Analysis process. As Lead Crewman Planner Sergeant Clifton has made timely, effective and proactive decisions with excellent judgement, balancing the demands of aircraft serviceability with tasking and training sorties, and taking into consideration the personal life of the Squadron personnel.
Group Captain Dan James awarded the Station Commanders Award to Sergeant Nikita Lydon who, in addition to her very busy day job as Deputy Manager of the Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess, sacrifices her free time to ensure events are delivered to a high standard as well as running a successful cooking class for the children of St Joseph’s school. Since completing a Managing Stress Course, Sergeant Lydon has helped Brize Norton personnel deal with stress and mental health issues. She is also a member of the repatriation team ensuring a difficult day runs smoothly, and to plan.
“The BRAVOS are an excellent opportunity to thank many of the fantastic people on the Station who do a brilliant job. There were over 100 submissions for different people and teams and it was an extremely tough job choosing the eight winners, which highlights the quality of our people at RAF Brize Norton.”
Group Captain Dan James MA MEng RAF
RAF Brize Norton Station Commander
