The RAF Poseidon Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract (SERE) Team, is a small group of dedicated Non-Commissioned Aircrew, tasked with the management and delivery of survival and aircraft emergency egress training for aircrew and engineers in the growing RAF Maritime Patrol Force. Flight Sergeant Robert Montgomerie, Flight Sergeant Jim Lawrence and Sergeant Gary Padbury deliver this task alongside their demanding primary role as Weapons System Operators in the Acoustic specialisation – responsible for the protection of UK waters from threats above and below the waves.

Entry of the Poseidon aircraft into RAF service has required the Force to regrow its knowledge of survival in the long-range maritime patrol domain, essentially from scratch. Flight Sergeant Montgomerie and his team have been instrumental to this endeavour, proactively identifying and solving problems with boundless enthusiasm, tenacity and initiative. The Team has been the nexus for a range of projects across multiple organisations, acting as the interface between the Force Headquarters, the flying squadrons and the Defence SERE Training Organisation (who have praised the Team’s efforts), ensuring compliance with policy through delivery of essential training and maintenance of currencies. To do this, they have established a standardised and structured means of tracking training and currencies for all aircrew, and for engineering personnel who accompany aircraft when deploying away from RAF Lossiemouth. In addition to delivering classroom training in the use of the aircraft’s life rafts and sea survival and location equipment, the Team work closely alongside RAF Lossiemouth Physical Education Flight to coordinate drills in the pool and at sea, ensuring all Poseidon aircrew are fully prepared to deal with an emergency in what can be the harshest of environments. They have engaged with the RAF Regiment Force Protection Training Flight to obtain resources to allow crews to practice with combat survival and location equipment, as well as running immersive, practical outdoor sessions which have enthused Poseidon aircrew by creating a culture which encourages learning. 

Most impressively, without direction, the Team identified that the aircraft egress, abandonment and ditching training could be hugely improved in terms of content, delivery and applicability, and have completely revamped the way that the drill is practiced. The new format has injected a higher level of realism, relevance and practicality, with crews carrying out hands-on, scenario-based exercises on the aircraft – vastly enhancing the quality and value of the sessions.

Demonstrating their absolute belief in the importance of survival training, Montgomerie, Lawrence and Padbury have taken it upon themselves to complete the courses and gain the qualifications required to prepare the crews. They have never shied away from constructively challenging policy, asking difficult questions or highlighting instances where process and procedures need to be improved. Their efforts have truly transformed the way the Force views this essential set of skills, with the aircrews having a wholly positive mindset towards training which will ultimately preserve the safety and enhance the survival chances of those onboard the aircraft should the worst happen. The Sir James Martin Award is fitting recognition of their outstanding contribution.

1968/69  Lt Cdr Tarver

1969/70  Flt Lt R C Shuster

1971  not awarded

1971/72  Gp Capt J K Mason

1973  not awarded

1973/74  Col W P Schane

1975  not awarded

1975/76  Gp Capt A J Barwood

1976/77  E L Ripley Esq

1977/78  Flt Sgt D J Jones

1978/79  D Johnson Esq

1979/80  Lt Cdr D R Taylor MBE

1980/81  MALM David Bullock G C (posthumously)

1981/82  Geoffrey Harrison Esq

1983  not awarded

1983/84  Clifford Gaskell Esq

1985  not awarded

1985/86  Wg Cdr R McCluskey AFC RAF

1987  not awarded

1987/88  AVM P H Howard

1989  not awarded

1989/90  Lt Cdr Paul Barton RN

1991 - 1992  not awarded

1992/93  John W Chappelow Esq

1994  not awarded

1994/95  Flt Lt Kevin A Brooks

1995/96  Lt Cdr Paul Haywood RN

1997  not awarded

1997/98  Major J Norman Ryan MC

1998/99  Dr Christopher Brooks, OMM OstJ CD MBChB DavMed FFOM

1999/2000  Air Accidents Investigation Branch Lockerbie Team

2000/01  CPO Terrence Allison

2001/02 Lt Cdr Clive Rawson RN

2003  not awarded

2003/04  Sqn Ldr Jonathan James Harrison RAF

2004/05 Professor Helen Christine Muir OBE MA PhD CPsychol FRAeS

2005/06  John Freeman

2006/07  Captain John Cox

2008  not awarded

2008/09 Flt Lt Emily Rickards RAF

2009/10  David Cockburn

2010/11  Captain Linc Alexander

2011/12  Maj K E Bryan AAC

2013  not awarded

2013/14  Captain James Cunningham AAC

2014/15  Captain Mark Chesney

2016  The Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Research Project Team

2017  SkyDemon

2018  Dr Donough Wilson

2019  Lt Jonathan Moore RN

2020  814 NAS Survival Equipment Section

2021  Garmin

2022  David Howson

2023  not awarded

2024  Flight Lieutenant Peers Lyle RAF