Worshipful Company of Carmen

THE CARMEN’S SWORD OF HONOUR
Lieutenant GILLIAN TURNER RLC...

for her phenomenal performance in her first RLC posting as a junior leader. As a postal and courier troop commander, she was the lieutenant of choice for a pilot role as passenger liaison officer for Operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, improving air transport liaison officer functions, passenger handling and welfare facilities, going well beyond her remit to enable 29 Regiment. In the absence of a squadron operations officer, she was also the unit lead for recruiting events. Meticulous and problem-solving, she worked significantly above the standard expected, striving for team goals, volunteering for many tasks, and consistently bettering the lives of soldiers.

 THE CARMEN’S ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS CUP

for exemplary dedication, professionalism and selfless commitment as a multi-talented logistician, deployed on two Brigade-level overseas training exercises, undertaking adventure training in Corsica, representing the Corps at athletics and the Regiment at sports including swimming, football, athletics and cross-country.  She raced through her Class 2 upgrade, completed three specialist driver qualifications and the team medic course, excelling as a driver for an observer/mentor in Canada and, deployed to Jordan, volunteered for a 5-day live-firing package, completing it as a rifleman, with praise from 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment HQ. 

THE CARMEN’S RAF CUP

Flight Lieutenant NICK CLARK RAF... 
 

who has excelled as OC E Flight on 1 Air Mobility Wing, with dynamic leadership, commitment and flexibility, his airmen trusting him implicitly as evidenced throughout his early operational deployment to Al Minhad air base. Leading three separate flights of 54 personnel dispersed throughout three operational theatres, including Afghanistan, he switched effortlessly from crisis-planning to tactical hands-on air movements, and was the first choice to deploy to Baghdad to support coalition elements working alongside UK forces, as the trusted single contact for UK HQ planning. He returned to the UK to command the newly created Global Movements Support Team, deploying worldwide to permanent air movement detachments, ensuring transport aircraft move seamlessly through unfamiliar airfields.

Corporal DEAN MATTHEWS RAF... 

who has been pivotal in the logistical introduction of A400M into service, largely responsible for the recently released tie down scheme, which has dramatically increased the aircraft’s utility. He has saved considerable defence expenditure by using aircraft data from previous trials rather than recalling equipment for physical trial on the new airframe, significantly accelerating capability development. He also effectively wrote the manual for clearing French equipment on UK transport aircraft, deployed on Operation Barkhane’s support of French forces in North Africa, helped to steer the high profile, politically charged Scout vehicle programme, and provided the expertise to fly an 8 tonne industrial magnet for the first time. 

THE CARMEN'S ROYAL NAVY CUP
Lieutenant STEVEN CHARLES RN ...

for unwavering commitment and professional integrity as Logistics Officer (Operations Support) for RNAS Culdrose, especially in support of maritime rotary wing operations. Respected throughout the command chain and Fleet Air Arm logistics, he is the key link between squadrons and air station, mentoring all non-commissioned personnel and balancing a mixed military and civil service team, ensuring asset availability for the Merlin helicopter force, his processes adopted by industry as best practice. During a year of unprecedented tempo with ten operations worldwide, he has enabled the intricate interface between ship and flight. Fundamental to the supply chain support of all rotary and fixed wing Culdrose assets, he has been pivotal to successful logistics support.

THIS AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO LT STEVEN CHARLES LATER IN THE YEAR AS HE WAS ON OPERATIONAL TOUR AT THE TIME OF THIS CEREMONY

for dedication, courage and achievement aboard HMS Enterprise, leading his team with flair, astute administration and financial acumen, utilising ship’s funds to improve welfare for ship’s company and family welfare. He obtained £5,000 for sports equipment, turned round the debt ridden ship’s shop, and organised thirteen family events. Gangway Quartermaster and Duty Leading hand, he was the leader of the feeding team for a migrant rescue. Realising many could not climb aboard unaided, he willingly put himself at the foot of the accommodation ladder, personally helping all 450 migrants aboard, over 12 continuous hours night and day, prioritising medical need, handling children, controlling the refugee boat crowd, only stopping when ordered off-deck. 

for his commitment, enthusiasm and dedication as a qualified driver tank transporter operator, and regular member of the regimental rugby and Nordic ski teams, who volunteered for the month long exercise Griffin Strike in RAF St Mawgan, as a section 2 i/c, then for exercise Anakonda 16, as part of a light equipment transporter troop attached to 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defence Artillery Regiment, US Army Europe, where he was notable for building relationships with US personnel. Recently he has frequently deployed to Germany to assist in vehicle handovers to the US Army, demonstrating promotion potential and outshining most junior NCOs as a Squadron role model.

for his exceptional performance as a junior NCO, delivering the highest level of specialist training. The only instructor qualified to deliver bulk fuel and modified light equipment trailer courses, he has trained over 40 personnel on specialist and everyday vehicle platforms. For the launch of the modified light trailer equipment trailer course, he liaised with the Defence School of Transport, identifying training package errors, offering solutions, devising a robust programme, and enabling two major fuel bridges in the Falklands and UK at short notice. He has also promoted the Squadron by supporting Blood Riders, transporting blood and organs for the critically ill, training at his own expense, and on call at weekends.

as Deputy OC A Flight for the sixth year, and as Simulator Liaison Officer, working with CAE and Lockheed Martin, leading  the £19m visual upgrade, on budget, on time, creating a positive impact on the C-130J flight safety team, replacing a Wing Commander as chair. Lead 2 Group crew resource management instructor to align the training plan across all 2 Group aircraft, he took command of A Flight enabling a new workable training model, and manning review. Outside the RAF, he is deputy chair of Childrey Council, trustee of Childrey playing fields, organises the annual bonfire, the Childrey Spring Classic British cycling event, and created the 12 band Childreyfest, raising £8,000 for local charities.

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