Awarded at the discretion of the Master for commendable achievement in any sector of aviation.

2010 awarded twice to:  656 Squadron Group AAC and to Miss Mandy Pantall

656 SQUADRON GROUP AAC

As part of the Apache Helicopter Force and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, 656 Squadron, has pioneered the Apache capability development since undergoing the first Conversion to Role in 2004.  The squadron was the first to deploy the Apache to sea in 2005, and subsequently the first into Afghanistan in 2006.  656 Squadron then continued to share the operational commitment to ‘Op Herrick’ with all squadrons from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps.  Due to operations in Afghanistan, the maritime experience had been all but forgotten by 2009.  In 2010, 656 Squadron, which was by then responsible for supporting the Attack Helicopter (AH) Conversion to Role training, was tasked to reinvigorate a bespoke maritime capability in support of the Responsive Force Task Group.

656 Squadron has built an enviable reputation; it was the first squadron from the AH Force to deploy to Afghanistan and more noteworthy was involved with the Jugroom Fort rescue and the Air Mission Command of the largest Commando Raid since WWII.  Its aircrew have been recognised by the award of two DFCs, two MCs and one MiD.  Since returning from Afghanistan in 2009, the Squadron has ably supported the Conversion to Role (CTR) training while concurrently tasked to develop a Contingent Operations capability. Although support to CTR is recognised as a squadron level commitment, 656 Squadron were also tasked with providing a contingent capability by December 2011. With little experience in Littoral Manoeuvre and no additional manpower or resources the Squadron and attached Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) hierarchy analysed the requirement and delivered a concept able to rapidly deploy a Land or Maritime capability. A number of exercises assisted in the understanding of the engineering intricacies, training burden and demanding flying practices. With excellent leadership and outstanding cooperation between aircrew, groundcrew and attached REME personnel, the Squadron developed a team capable of deploying in arguably the harshest of environments.  Although given a target date of December 2011, 656 Squadron delivered a contingent capability in April 2011, and the Squadron deployed on ‘HMS Ocean’ as part of the Tailored Air Group (TAG) in the Mediterranean.  It continues to develop a coherent joint planning process, has flown multi-aircraft missions by day and night and fired the first Hellfire missiles at sea.

656 Squadron has developed and tested new ways of employing the Apache and has ultimately created a new potency.  In an aircraft not optimised for the maritime environment the Squadron has been imaginative, innovative and staunchly determined to succeed; all the more impressive given that no other nation operating the Apache has any experience in a maritime role.  The squadron has taken Attack Aviation capability beyond the currently recognised envelope of contemporary operations and in so doing has delivered a significant capability for the future.  All this has been achieved while continuing to provide support to Conversion to Role training, ensuring that tomorrow’s Apache pilots are ready for operations. 

In formal recognition of the pioneering philosophy and success in everything that it has achieved, and the progress from conceptual design to the delivery of a capable contingency capability in little over 12 months, 656 Squadron Group AAC is awarded the Master’s Commendation.

MISS MANDY PANTALL

Mandy Pantall is an outstanding lady who, through the way she has dealt with immense personal adversity, is an inspiration to all she meets and has had dramatic impact upon the lives of the many underprivileged people she has helped through the charity Fly2Help.

Mandy’s career in aviation started in 1996 as a wing-walker with the Crunchie Flying Circus.  A vivacious and outgoing young lady, who enthralled the crowds at airshows all over the UK and Northern Europe, a lady who had everything to live for.  However, this was cruelly taken away from her in 1998 following a horse riding accident which left her with multiple crushed vertebrae, resulting in severe central nervous system damage.  Since then, Mandy has been unable to walk any distance unaided and she has been in severe chronic pain.  The accident had a devastating effect upon her life – she could no longer ride, her marriage broke down, she had to quit the aviation world she loved and her self-esteem plummeted.

In 2004, while working as a signer for the Royal Institute for the Deaf, Mandy was encouraged to apply to the charity Flying Scholarships for the Disabled, and was subsequently awarded a flying scholarship in 2005.  The opportunity for Mandy to get back in the air completely turned her life around: she weaned herself off the cocktail of painkillers she had to take, rekindled old friendships, renewed her own self-worth and attained her PPL.

Having got her life back on track, in typical fashion she decided that she wanted to help others do the same through the medium of aviation.  Mandy continued to support Flying Scholarships for the Disabled, but in 2006 she was asked to join the fledgling charity, Fly2Help to run the office and to be the marketing and fundraising manager.  Fly2Help is now a well-established and highly successful charity, whose aim is to support families and individuals facing a wide range of trauma or tragedy.  In the early days she was the only employee, frequently putting in 70 hour weeks despite her part-time status.  Now, thanks in large part to her selfless determination to help others less fortunate than herself, the charity has a high profile, some wonderful supporters, employs other full time staff and has helped over 630 disabled, traumatised and terminally ill people to experience the wonders of flight.

Sadly, Mandy is no longer able to exercise the privileges of her licence as she is unable to control her levels of pain without strong prescription drugs.  The degree of pain she endures through the course of her work and her life is evident only to a few select people.  She soldiers on without complaint, never letting those she helps realise the severity of her personal struggle, to ensure the charity continues its fantastic work, bringing smiles to people in the most adverse of conditions.

In recognition of her courage in the face of chronic pain, her constant self-sacrifice, her enthusiasm for helping others and the success in developing Fly2Help, Mandy Pantall is awarded the Master’s Commendation.

Previous Winners

1977 Squadron Leader R Penny

1978 Mr Asad Nasr on behalf of Middle East Airlines

1979 Charles Nicholas Hoy Esq Hikmat M Ghosn

1980-81 Not Awarded

1982 Alan Bramson Esq Arthur E Gibson Esq Eric H Woods Esq

1983 Not Awarded

1984 J R Kilner Esq/ P Bonhomme Esq

1985-86 Not Awarded

1987 First Officer Mimi Tompkins

1988 FirstOfficer G Slader & Second Officer M Thomas ( United Airlines), Wing Commander M C Brooke, Captain T F P Frizell

1989 A E Donlan Esq

1990 G P Sanctuary Esq Captain J Sirley

1991 Robert Legg Esq

1992 Mrs Constance E Fricker

1993 Not Awarded

1994 Professor Angus Wallace/ Dr. Tom Wong Miss Tracey Leigh Signal

1995 Captain Peter Bugge/ Captain John Robinson

1996 Flight Lieutenant Michael J Chatterton

1997 Malcolm Mason Esq

1998 Wing Commander Simon Meade

1999 Captain Neville Grady

2000 Flight Lieutenant Rodney Leigh / Captain John Savage

2001 Andrew Digby Esq

2002 Roger H Beazley Esq

2003 Squadron Leader Malcolm Hunt RAF

2004 Not Awarded

2005 Captain Ralph Kohn

2006 Victor Lockwood

2007 Squadron Leader Warwick Creighton MBE RAF

2008 Squadron Leader Alastair Pinner MBE RAF
        Captain Roland "Rolie" James DSM(Oman) BA(Hons)

2009 The Air Cadet Organisation

2010  656 Squadron Group AAC
              Miss Mandy Pantall