Master Aircrew Mauchline has unrivalled operational experience as a Support Helicopter crewman, with exceptional service spanning five decades and over 6,000 flying hours. As a Special Forces helicopter crewman, he remains mentally and physically robust after 41 years of service. His encyclopaedic knowledge, combined with broad operational experience, makes him an outstanding instructor who prepares the next generation of warfighters brilliantly. Applying RAF traditions and values to the modern environment, Mauchline has mentored hundreds of commissioned and non-commissioned aircrew throughout their careers.

Mauchline’s aviation career began as a crewman on the Puma. Over six years, he became an Arctic Warfare Instructor, Helicopter Abseil Instructor, deployed to Iraq on Operation ‘Granby’, and was selected as lead crewman for the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force. During a jungle deployment to Belize, he was Mentioned in Dispatches for his role in the life-saving medical evacuation of five chemical burns victims while repelling an attack from forces armed with machetes. He earned parachute wings while serving as a liaison to the Air Assault Brigade before transferring to the Chinook Force.

While serving on 18(B) Squadron, he qualified as an Air Gunnery Instructor and deployed to Northern Ireland and the Balkans. In 2001, at the start of the Global War on Terrorism, he volunteered for 7 Squadron, knowing he would be involved in counter-terrorism operations. He participated in the first insertion into Afghanistan, where he and five crews operated for ten days without support from a remote desert camp. For twenty years, he deployed relentlessly to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. He flew hundreds of helicopter assault missions, almost exclusively at night, to counter threats to UK national interests. During this time, Mauchline was selected for special duties with Afghan National Security Forces. Under Operation ‘Emperor’, he trained in Eastern Europe on the Soviet Mi-17 Hip as a flight engineer and later became an instructor. Specialising in high-altitude operations, he frequently deployed to Afghanistan on counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism missions, partnering with Afghan soldiers, UK Special Forces, and Partners Across Government. He remains operationally relevant, having deployed on a discrete European operation in 2022, Operation ‘Polar Bear’ (Sudan) in 2023, and Operation ‘Leadproof’ in 2026 to provide contingency options following the Iranian war.

He has experienced the Cold War, the Global War on Terrorism, war in Europe, and conflicts across the Middle East. Mauchline’s ability to transfer knowledge to others on 7 Squadron makes him one of the unit’s most valuable assets. As an instructor, he takes immense pride in mentoring aircrew. As new equipment enters service, Mauchline expertly connects emerging technologies with prior experience to develop novel ways of using new equipment. Consequently, he has taken a leading role in developing new flying procedures to exploit technology. To this day, Mauchline is held at extremely high readiness with 7 Squadron to respond to global events and has volunteered and been selected to extend his service. His endless professionalism, personal sacrifice, and absolute commitment during his remarkable 41 years of service is recognised with the Master’s Commendation.

1977/78   Sqn Ldr R Penny

1978/79   Mr Asad Nasr on behalf of Middle East Airlines

1979/80  awarded twice:
      Charles Nicholas Hoy Esq
      Hikmat M Ghosn

1981 - 1982  not awarded

1982/83  awarded to: 
      Alan Bramson Esq
      Arthur E Gibson Esq
      Eric H Woods Esq

1984  not awarded

1984/85   J R Kilner Esq & P Bonhomme Esq

1986 - 1987  not awarded

1987/88   First Officer Mimi Tompkins

1988/89  awarded to:
      First Officer G Slader & Second Officer M Thomas of United Airlines
      Wing Commander M C Brooke RAF
      Captain T F P Frizell

1989/90   A E Donlan Esq

1990/91  awarded twice:
       G P Sanctuary Esq
       Captain J Sirley

1991/92   Robert Legg Esq

1992/93   Mrs Constance E Fricker

1994  not awarded

1994/95   awarded to:
      Professor Angus Wallace & Dr Tom Wong
      Miss Tracey Leigh Signal

1995/96   Captain Peter Bugge & Captain John Robinson AFC*

1996/97   Flight Lieutenant Michael J Chatterton

1997/98   Malcolm Mason Esq

1998/99   Wing Commander Simon Meade RAF

1999/2000 Captain Neville Grady

2000/01 awarded twice:
      Flight Lieutenant Rodney Leigh
      Captain John Savage

2001/02   Andrew Digby Esq

2002/03   Roger H Beazley Esq

2003/04   Squadron Leader Malcolm Hunt RAF

2005  not awarded

2005/06   Captain Ralph Kohn

2006/07   Victor Lockwood

2007/08   Squadron Leader Warwick Creighton MBE RAF

2008/09  awarded twice:
      Squadron Leader Alastair Pinner MBE RAF
      Captain Roland "Rolie" James DSM(Oman) BA(Hons)

2009/10   The Air Cadet Organisation

2010/11. awarded twice:
      656 Squadron Group AAC
      Miss Mandy Pantall

2011/12  awarded twice:
      Flight Lieutenant D J "Jack" Hawkins RAFR               
      Garry Stanfield Smith

2012/13  The British Helicopter Team 2012

2013/14  awarded twice: 
      Major Mark Martin AAC
      Royal Australian Air Force Air Mobility Group

2014/15 awarded twice:
      Lieutenant Commander Chris Götke AFC RN
      Royal Air Force Air Traffic Management Force

2016  Major Jean G R Leroux CD

2017 awarded twice:
      Captain Rosella Bjornson
      Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M Hall USAF

2018  awarded to:
      Group Captain John Middleton OBE RAF 
      Squdron Leader Mike Ling MBE RAF
      Major Dennis W Sharf CD

2019  Flight Lieutenant Christopher Stradling RAF

2020  Master Aircrew Tudor Haines

2021  Major Kevin Anderson AAC

2022  Major Terry Campbell AAC

2023  Captain Alastair Rorrison AAC

2024 Flight Lieutenant Paul Wharmby RAF

2025 Not Awarded