The Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognised uniformed and civilian people from across Royal Air Force Wittering for their outstanding service.
Lifetimes of service were recognised as retiring Warrant Officers, Dave Scott and Steve Poulton, received the Meritorious Service Medal and Chief of the Air Staff’s Commendations respectively. Mr Scott, who commanded RAF Wittering’s Catering Flight, had given 33 years of service whilst Mr Poulton, A4 Force Warrant Officer, had served for 38 years.
Chefs from No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron received commendations from the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) and Air Officer Commanding 38 Group (AOC 38 Gp). Senior Aircraftman Shaun Duthie received CAS’s commendation for his “committed, hardworking and exceptional professionalism” in his core role as a chef and for assisting the Air Cadets. Flight Sergeant Maxine Booth also received a commendation. In addition to her day job, keeping a large team of military chefs ready to deploy, Flight Sergeant Booth is an active equality and diversity adviser, and the Station’s Air Cadet Liaison Officer.
Four sections from the Cambridgeshire Station have also received special Team Commendations from AOC 38 Group. The P1 Team at RAF Wittering handles disciplinary and administrative issues, as well as Service Complaints and Honours and Awards. Comprised of uniformed and civilian personnel, the team have been recognised for the quality of their advice and support, delivered with compassion and sensitivity.
5001 Squadron provides airfield engineering support to the Royal Air Force, at home and abroad. The Squadron’s training cell keeps 5001’s technicians and engineers up to date and ready to deploy. The team received an AOC 38 Gp commendation for their determination and innovation for developing new training packages to make sure RAF aircraft could be properly supported and sheltered on operations.
Image by: Sgt Neil Brydon
No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron’s Quality Team and the Air Command Fleet Management Team were both recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honour List. Vehicles are a big part of life at RAF Wittering, but keeping large numbers of vehicles on the road and operationally ready takes attention to detail and real administrative rigour.
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw
Group Captain Tony Keeling is the Station Commander at Royal Air Force Wittering. He said: “I’m struck by how many different ranks, professions and trades have been honoured in these awards. Engineers, logisticians, civil servants and all of them making such tangible contributions to the output of the Station and to the welfare of its people. I am continually inspired by the calibre of the people we have at RAF Wittering.”
