Honours for Kinloss personnel

RAF Kinloss personnel have been honoured

RAF Kinloss service personnel have been honoured in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Station commander, JJ Johnston said all those who have been recognised and rewarded have made a fantastic contribution to the station, the Royal Air Force, defence or the local community.

he said they all shared common traits of selflessness, professionalism and a sense of giving for the benefit of others, and often those less fortunate than themselves.

“They all richly deserve these honours and I salute their recognition,” he said, “giving them my congratulations and heartfelt thanks.”

Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal are Warrant Officer Jack Macfarlane – Regional Medical Warrant Officer for Scotland and Flight Sergeant John Porter, from Engineering and Logistics Wing.

Warrant Officer Macfarlane (47) joined the RAF in 1982 and has a career which spans three decades.

He has held various roles within the Medical Branch, both in the UK and overseas, and has been described as being ‘incomparable in professionalism and zeal’.

He was also instrumental in the setting up of the RAF Manston History Museum raising more than £50,000 for the project. Although no longer the chairman, he is still a trustee of the charity that runs it.

In 2008 Jack was recognised for his efforts by being awarded a MBE for his services to both his primary and secondary RAF duties, and his citation states that his dedication towards his job and the RAF has not faltered.

Flight Sergeant Porter (47) joined the RAF in 1980, and spent the formative years of his career working on Nimrods at RAF Kinloss before being posted to RAF Laarbruch in Germany.  He worked with the Harrier Force, before returning to RAF Kinloss in 2000.

He has been recognised for his outstanding professionalism which has been seen in both his primary role as an engineer, but also in his secondary duties and interests, which include playing alto sax in the RAF Kinloss Swing Band, and acting as the liaison officer for the RNLI.

His citation notes his ‘unbounded enthusiasm’ for everything, and his selfless dedication to all his duties.

Other awards in the shape of the Commander in Chief Commendation have gone to Corporal Gavin Connolly from Catering Squadron, who is now working at RAF Odiham.

Also receiving the Commander in Chief Team Commendation are members of the Force Development Squadron, lead by Squadron Leader Gareth Jenkins

The Air Officer Commanding 2 Group Commendation goes to Flight Lieutenant Bea Orme, Ex Training Officer 42 Squadron, Flight Sergeant Kev Beattie, Officers’ Mess Manager and members of the Engineering and Logistics Wing: Sergeant Andrew Davidson and Senior Aircraftman Chris Hollis, (Survival Equipment Section) and Sergeant Paul ‘Ratch’ Gordon (Forward Support Squadron).