RAF Shawbury staff in New Year Honours

Staff at a Shropshire airbase will start off 2011 flying high after being named on the New Year Honours list.

Four individual service personnel and a team of four airmen at RAF Shawbury will receive special awards in recognition of their work at the airbase and in support of operations worldwide.

Flight Sergeant Colin Heath, a senior instructor, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

He is in charge of a flight of instructors who train the youngest entrants at the airbase.

Flight Lieutenant Mike Castle, a qualified helicopter instructor, has been awarded a Commander in Chief Commendation.

Flight Lieutenant Stu Gerrard, Flight Sergeant Barry Taylor and a team award for the Ground Training Flight of the Central Air Traffic Control School have been awarded Air Officer Commanding Commendations in the list.

Flight Lieutenant Gerrard is a training manager.

He has responsibility for all flight operations, officer and assistant training, the management of staff personal issues, and the development of training across the school.

Flight Sergeant Taylor is a qualified helicopter crewmen instructor.

The team award went to the Ground Training Flight of the Central Air Traffic Control School.

Flight Lieutenant Iain Eaton, and Warrant Officers Tony Ashwood, Steve Bate and Ian Durrant will be rewarded for their excellence in training delivery, facilitation of change and charitable endeavours.

Recipients will formally receive their awards at special ceremonies to be held in 2011.