News story

RAF personnel and veterans receive medals

RAF personnel serving at Linton-on-Ouse and several Bomber Command veterans have been honoured in a medal presentation.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 8 August 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

RAF personnel and Bomber Command veterans at RAF Linton-on-Ouse

Fifteen serving airmen and airwomen received honours, including the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, from the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Edward Stringer.

A dozen Bomber Command Clasps were also presented to surviving veterans of the organisation, and family members of those unable to attend the ceremony, to adorn the ribbons of their 1939-1945 Star campaign medals.

A recipient of the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, Senior Aircraftwoman Natasha Hill said:

It was an honour to receive the medal for my service in Afghanistan amongst such brave and courageous veterans from Bomber Command. They set the standard for me and my colleagues in the Royal Air Force to follow.

It was a true honour and an amazing experience to meet them and share my experiences of modern warfare with them.

The Station Commander of RAF Linton-On-Ouse invited the Bomber Command veterans to have their Clasps presented alongside serving personnel in order to formally recognise these local heroes.

Air Vice-Marshal Edward Stringer presents a veteran with his Bomber Command Clasp [Picture: Gary Wort, Crown copyright]

Group Captain David Cooper said:

Today provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on bravery and sacrifice made by Bomber Command crews during the Second World War and equally to recognise the excellence of our current serving personnel, who continue to uphold the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force in serving the Nation.

RAF Linton is proud to be able to honour those here today, and I know too that my current serving personnel are especially proud to receive their awards standing side-by-side with the veterans receiving the Bomber Command Clasp.

One of the veterans, Flight Lieutenant Dennis Mason, was the first former Air Cadet to receive the Distinguished Flying Medal. Dennis flew 66 operational missions in total, some as far as Italy.

With RAF Linton-on-Ouse being home to the Northern Headquarters of the Air Cadet Organisation, it was fitting that he was awarded his Clasp here. Dennis said:

I’ve really enjoyed this morning, I never expected to receive my Clasp in such a ceremony. We’ve been made to feel very welcome.

Still active today, RAF Linton-On-Ouse continues to deliver world-class flying training to future front line fast jet pilots.

Published 8 August 2013