The Master's Commendation

Awarded for outstanding service in the air, at the discretion of the Master.

 

2020 awarded to: Master Aircrew Tudor Haines

 

Master Aircrew Tudor Haines is an exceptionally experienced Crewman who has amassed over 5000 flying hours, notably across all three frontline Chinook Sqns. With his superb performance as Senior Crewman on two recent deployments of the Chinook to Mali against the backdrop of an outstanding Service history, he has proven himself to be a central pillar of the Chinook Force.

Haines joined the Chinook Force at the beginning of 2000 and was initially posted to 27 Sqn where he deployed to Bosnia, Norway, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands and Oman within his first 2 years. These early years highlighted an extremely committed, professional and talented young crewman who was destined for a distinguished career on the Chinook Force. Following a tour on Op JACANA and Op TELIC, Haines was selected to join 7 Sqn and fly in support of Special Forces (SF) operations in 2004.

During a relentless 13 years on 7 Sqn he has deployed to the Middle East on no less than six distinct and highly challenging tours of duties with the Special Forces. Haines’ list of operational achievements is almost matched by his impressive list of airborne qualifications.  He is a Crewman Trainer, an Air Gunnery Instructor, a Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor and is presently one of the very few Crew Served Weapons Assessors within the Joint Helicopter Command.  He has held the position of 7 (SF) Sqn Crewman Standards Officer, a Fast Rope Instructor, an Abseil Instructor, a VIP qualified crewman and a Flight Duty Authoriser. He continues to consistently set the highest of standards, leading from the front and working tirelessly to ensure his knowledge and enthusiasm moulds countless generations of junior crewmen.

2017 saw Haines promoted to MAcr and a posting to 18 (B) Sqn in Feb 18. Within his first year he was one of the first aircrew to deploy on Op NEWCOMBE iso French Allies within the Central Sahel, Africa and Apr 20 has seen Haines deploy again to this challenging theatre. This most recent deployment was especially challenging, as the UK witnessed the onset and peak of COVID-19. His steadfast commitment and leadership helped ensure this operational commitment was met on time and with the Flt in the best possible order.  His breadth of operational experience has been a key factor in the continued integration of the UK Force into a French Battle Group.  Working with unfamiliar aircraft types across a language barrier and exacerbated by strict COVID-19 restrictions, Haines’ leadership was essential. The speed and efficiency with which the UK personnel were able to safely deliver operational effect was directly related to his judgement and vast experience but most importantly his personal example and drive.

He has displayed unswerving commitment and provided immensely valuable service over the course of twenty years, and he continues to do so at the time of writing on Counter-Terror operations in Africa. He has inspired a whole generation of aircrew and has consistently set an example of excellence and dedication to all.  He is the very epitome of the dependable, capable SNCO that the Squadron looks to in times of strife and turbulence – and for his outstanding service in the air, is accordingly awarded the Master’s Commendation.

 

 

Previous Winners:

1977/78   Squadron Leader R Penny

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

1979/80   Charles Nicholas Hoy Esq

               Hikmat M Ghosn

1981 - 1982 Not Awarded

1982/83  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   First Officer G Slader & Second Officer M Thomas of United Airlines

               Wing Commander M C Brooke

               Captain T F P Frizell

1989/90   A E Donlan Esq

1990/91   G P Sanctuary Esq

               Captain J Sirley

1991/92   Robert Legg Esq

1992/93   Mrs Constance E Fricker

1994  Not Awarded

1994/95   Professor Angus Wallace & Dr. Tom Wong

               Miss Tracey Leigh Signal

1995/96   Captain Peter Bugge & Captain John Robinson

1996/97   Flight Lieutenant Michael J Chatterton

1997/98   Malcolm Mason Esq

1998/99   Wing Commander Simon Meade

1999/2000 Captain Neville Grady

2000/01   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   Squadron Leader Alastair Pinner MBE RAF

               Captain Roland "Rolie" James DSM(Oman) BA(Hons)

2009/10   The Air Cadet Organisation

2010/11   656 Squadron Group AAC

               Miss Mandy Pantall

2011/12   Flight Lieutenant D J "Jack" Hawkins RAFR

               Garry Stanfield Smith

2012/13  The British Helicopter Team 2012

2013/14  Major Mark Martin AAC

               Royal Australian Air Force Air Mobility Group

2014/15  Lieutenant Commander Chris Götke AFC RN

               Royal Air Force Air Traffic Management Force

2016  Major Jean G R Leroux CD

2017  Captain Rosella Bjornson

         Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M Hall USAF

2018  Group Captain John Middleton OBE RAF

        Squadron Leader Mike Ling MBE RAF

        Major Dennis W Sharf CD

2019  Flight Lieutenant Christopher Stradling RAF

2020  Master Aircrew Tudor Haines