Worshipful Company of Carmen

 THE CARMEN’S SWORD OF HONOUR 

 

Lieutenant SARAH MENDHAM RLC...who was commissioned in 2007. Second of 25 completing the Troop Commanders’ Course, she commanded a Troop in 60 CS Squadron, demonstrating exemplary command and control in Op Telic Special Mission Training. In 2009 her Troop was selected at short notice for Operation Herrick 11, she deployed as Logistic Commander responsible for loads, recovery and liaison and, exposed to enemy activity, remained calm, assured and focused, dealing with over 130 vehicles. During Operation Moshtarak, she deployed with the leading Battle Group tactical HQ, into high risk Nad-E-Ali district, enabling logistic supply in a dangerous and exceptionally demanding operation. With qualities beyond her rank, exemplary leadership in barracks, on exercise and in theatre, she is now Squadron Administration Officer.

              

THE CARMEN’S ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS CUP

awarded to the

CARMEN’S SOLDIER OF THE YEAR 2011 

 

Private LUCIUS JUNIOR EDWARD RLC...who enlisted in 2006, served as a driver in Iraq 2007 – 2008, before retraining and deploying to Iraq again in 2010, where he was also Squadron PT instructor.  He conducted high-threat combat logistic patrols to Kuwait and the Al Faw peninsula, facing small arms fire and an IED strike against his vehicle. Volunteering for Operation Certain Shield, he conducted dismounted border patrols with the Ist Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s battlegroup. As 2 i/c his section, he delivered a demanding PT regime, fought logistic support across Central Helmand, then deployed with 1^st Battalion Scots Guards, delivering logistic moves against determined enemy action in Lashkah Gah and Nad-E-Ali with charisma and boundless enthusiasm. He provided peerless motivation, his professionalism unparalleled in his regiment -- a multi-talented, dedicated and selfless logistician.              

 

Flight Lieutenant AARON FULTONRAF...who graduated from the Defence Movement School in 2009, initially employed as Duty Air Movements Officer at RAF Lyneham, with accelerated promotion to MobileTeam Leader. He completed the Deployed Movements Course well beyond his relative inexperience, his natural leadership and management already apparent, rating him in the top 10% of team leaders, all more senior and experienced. Deployed to Kandahar and Bastion, he managed all elements of tour duty exceptionally, at short notice assisting the Air Attache in India, coordinating high profile military visits, lauded by Air and Defence Attaches for his enthusiasm and ability, a highly valued and capable officer in an operationally focused unit.  

 

Senior Aircraftman CHRISTOPHER FLOOD...who has achieved outstanding results throughout his basic movements training, demonstrating exceptional commitment, helping to develop others and  meticulously researching the Basrah Memorial Wall at the National Memorial Arboretum. At RAF Brize Norton, he has utilised his skills effectively in every section, remaining proactive during completion of his Record of Achievement ahead of his peers. Trusted implicitly by his superiors, he has been a key member of the team providing support to the Op Herrick airbridge, itself specifically praised by CinC Air Command, and he participates in all Squadron social and sporting events, setting an exceptional example both personally and professionally.

THE CARMEN’S 2 MECHANICAL TRANSPORT SQUADRON AWARD 2011 

 

Corporal GARETH KANE...a junior NCO on one of two Squadron operational flights, the most senior Corporal in either, and part of a 3-man team to establish and run a successful manning cell. His flight responsibilities included mentoring junior airmen, driving, coaching all Squadron personnel on the new MAN truck variant, then planning and leading a faultless 10-vehicle convoy to Albacete, Spain. Chairman of the Squadron’s charities committee, he spearheaded fundraising for Anna’s Hope children’s charity, and coordinated the Squadron 70^th anniversary as deputy project officer. Deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, he helped ensure operational effectiveness, managing fleet serviceability, workshop liaison and towing large aircraft. Loyal, dedicated and committed, he is deemed the Squadron’s best JNCO by peers and superiors alike, his performance exceptional.               

 

Flight Sergeant ANDREW SEDDON...a Crewman Instructor on B Flight, the Hercules Operational Conversion Unit, for his leadership in an acting capacity, when the Flight was under considerable strain over a year at an exceptionally  demanding time, training for Afghanistan operations. Facing significant demand on aircraft availability, and training for new capabilities, including long-range search and rescue, B Flight at short notice also supported operational commitments in theatre, as well as civilian evacuations from Libya, with tenacity and dedication, primarily through his high standards of command, leadership and management.               

 

Lieutenant IAIN KEARSLEY RN ...who served as HMS Cumberland’s Deputy Logistics Officer 2009-2010, with sea training, then deployment to Operation Calash,for  multi-national counter-piracy and terrorism off East Africa. He managed a fragile supply chain into and within the vast seaspace of the operating area, also handling sensitive personnel issues. In his wider ship role, he starred as first choice boarding officer, leading 15-22 people on armed vessel searches up to three times daily, including a pirated Yemeni vessel, subsequently liberated. Rated the most impressive junior logistics officer in the Service, his operational impact, personal qualities,  logistical ability, leadership and management mark him as the epitome of a junior naval logistician. 

 

Leading Supply Chain DAVID OLIVE RN ...who deployed in 2009 to the air stores group at Kandahar, leading a team of four tri- service junior ranks, providing 24-hour support to Sea King and Chinook forces with outstanding leadership. Adept and knowledgeable, he handled the air supply system and available stocks efficiently, ensuring seamless replenishment of critical supplies, despite the system’s limitations, tracking historical data towards a successful scale of stores allowances for deployed rotary winged aircraft. Mentoring others, he improved operational impact, liaising effectively with engineering management and other aircraft communities. He identified resources and assessed Sea King inventory to ensure a 28 day stores transfer in three days with no downside. As a Leading Hand, he excelled, achieving outstanding results, with all the qualities normally expected of a Senior Rate.

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