Again, a few cut 'n pastes from Corps Parish Notices:
RAF REGT ASSOC PRESENCE AT SERVICE REPATRIATIONS
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the RAF Regt Assoc has determined that an Assoc presence at Service repatriations, centred upon the town of Wootton Bassett, should be instituted formally, since with the intensity of operations in which British forces are currently engaged, it seems sadly inevitable that there will be more to come. It was agreed that the Assoc's National Standard should always be on parade for a RAF Regt repatriation. However, it was also agreed that it was desirable that the Assoc should be represented, at least at Branch level, at all repatriations, regardless of the Service(s) of the individual(s) being repatriated. It is worth noting that a number of other Service and ex-Service organisations attend all repatriations, and the NEC agreed that it would be wholly fitting to similarly honour the fallen.
Regardless of whether it is to be a RAF Regt repatriation, or that of another-Service, the Assoc should try to parade as a single body, to maximise our impact on the parade. Clearly this requires some coordination and Mr Tich Taylor, of the Hereford Branch, will act as the Assoc's Repatriations Coordinator. Branches and individual members of the Assoc are therefore encouraged to contact Mr Taylor (contact details below) to register their interest in attending repatriations. He will then be able to advise those interested on when repatriation is due to take place and of the necessary coordinating arrangements. The act of registering an interest does not mean that branches or individuals are committed to attend, but the greater the pool of those interested, the greater the chances of the Assoc having a fully representative turnout. Mr Taylor may be contacted on Tel: 01446 730894 or via Email at
linda.49taylor@tiscali.co.uk .
SPECIAL AWARD OF THE COMMANDANT GENERAL'S COMMENDATION
In one of his last acts as CG RAF Regt, Air Cdre Abbott presented his personal Commendation to Lt Col Chris Naler, USMC, who was the CO Bde HQ Gp, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), at the Bastion-Leatherneck Combined Operating Base in Afghanistan. He was, therefore, the Ground Holding Commander for the Area of Operations of Belleau Wood (North) and exercised Tactical Command of RAF Regt Force Elements, providing FP for Bastion-Leatherneck and the air operations conducted there. Despite repeated challenges to the integrity of the Air Force protection mission, Lt Col Naler worked tirelessly with his RAF Regt colleagues to achieve and maintain the conceptual high ground, gaining the support of the uncommitted and convincing the doubters. Such was the level of his achievement that, by the end of 2009, FP operations around Bastion-Leatherneck involved regularly the forces of four Allied nations, together with the Afghan National Security Forces. In proving himself to be fully representative of the finest traditions of both Corps, Lt Col Naler was awarded the Commendation of the Commandant General Royal Air Force Regiment. Lt Col Naler becomes the first foreign national recipient of these Commendations and the Corps extends its congratulations to him.
AUSTRALIAN STATE AWARD FOR FORMER RAF REGT OFFICER
Former RAF Regt officer, Lt Col Shane Gabriel has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in the Australia Day Honours List, for his efforts commanding a Battle Group in Oruzgan. He rejoined the Australian Army (infantry) when he returned to Australia. No further details are known at this time. The Corps extends its congratulations to Lt Col Gabriel.
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL TO RAF REGT OFFICER
Raf Regt Gp Capt John Alexander has recently had the award of the US Army Commendation Medal confirmed in recognition of his leading role in organising Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) support to the Jan 05 elections in Iraq. This included advising General George W. Casey, the CG MNF-I, on the force lay-down that enabled a 80% turn out to elect a Parliament from which the current constitution and government is derived. Gp Capt Alexander used his Arabic language and cultural skills acquired from secondment to the Sultan of Oman's Air Force and numerous other tours in the Middle East to work closely with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq. The delay in the presentation of the medal, originally 'pinned-on' in 2005 by General Casey, now Chief of Staff of the US Army, was because of the need to resolve British and Republic of Korea nominations for awards for the same service.
