Lyneham "Top Three" Honoured in Queen's Birthday List 2004
RAF Lyneham top brass have been received top awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2004. In a period of extreme workload and overseas deployments, the airbase staff have found the time to help in other out of work activities. Former base commander Group Captain Raymond Lock is appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his work during an exceptionally busy 2 year period at RAF Lyneham, in particular his personal role in establishing the airport in Basrah during the Iraq war.

Group Captain Ray Lock CBE, OBE, RAF, former station commander RAF Lyneham left

Wing Commander Gary Dennis Edwards, Officer Commanding Operations Wing was appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for playing a key role in sustaining the Station's operational output over the course of his two and half year tour, notably as acting station commander for over 3 months during the height of the Iraq conflict last year.

Wing Commander Edwards [pictured left] said, " I was delighted and very surprised to be honoured. I haven't seen the citation yet but I am assuming the award was made mainly because of my time at RAF Lyneham: There's a good deal of luck involved and I was lucky enough to command the Operations Wing at Lyneham over what has probably been the most intensive and sustained period of operations we have ever seen. I also spent time as Acting Station Commander when the Station's Commanders were deployed first to Karachi in 2002, and then to Basrah in 2003. I was also lucky enough to have a superb team working with me throughout and I am sure that, in part, the award recognises their outstanding efforts."

Squadron Leader Michael James Bracken (ex LXX Sqn) was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE ) for his charitable work, largely in support of the Royal Air Forces Association. Sqn Ldr Bracken was actively involved in a major charitable event last year, helping organise the Classics on the Wing 2003 concert

Mrs Meg Bundock who is an Information Officer for the station HIVE, (Help, Information and Volunteer Exchange) which provides community support for RAF partners and families. As a HIVE Information Officer at RAF Lyneham, her important role is to offer support to all the families and personnel and to give an impartial information and referral service. The HIVE is particularly busy in times of conflict where spouses are deployed overseas and her support element of the job becomes vital to the well being of everyone.

Her dedication, and painstaking support has been justifiably noted and she receives the Air Officer Commanding Commendation. This accolade reflects all the efforts and hard work she has put in to help separated service families.

Gp Capt Lock

Commander of the British Empire

Wg Cdr Edwards

Order of the British Empire

Wg Cdr Kyte

Associate Royal Red Cross

Sqn Ldr Bracken

Member of the British Empire

Sqn Ldr Ford

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

MACR Bottomley

Chief of the Air Staff Commendation

FS Hawkins

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

FS Payne

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

Chf Tech Short

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

Sgt Davison

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

Sgt Wickes

Commander In Chief Personnel Training Command Commendation

Cpl Elkin

Commander In Chief Strike Command Commendation

Sgt Blackler

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Sgt Masters

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Cpl Bird

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Cpl Braybrook

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Cpl Diston

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Cpl Plumridge

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

SAC Hobbs

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

SAC Pengelly

Air Officer Commanding Commendation

Mrs Bundock

Air Officer Commanding Commendation