RAF Reservists receive Commendations

July 10, 2023
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The Lord-Lieutenant of Moray presented Commendations to three Royal Air Force (RAF) Reservists on 23 May at RAF Lossiemouth.

The RAF Reserves of 2622 (Highland) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Regiment were delighted to host the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General The Honourable Seymour Monro, for an award ceremony to present three Commendations.

The Lord-Lieutenant’s Commendations were awarded to Corporal Stevie Campbell, Lance Corporal Neil Robertson, and Air Specialist (Class 1) Andy Donegan for their professionalism and dedicated service. After the award ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant joined the recipients, colleagues and guests for a social event to celebrate the occasion. 

Squadron Leader Chris Beckley, Officer Commanding of 2622 Squadron, described the occasion: “2622 Squadron was honoured to have the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray present his Commendations to our three recipients. Reservists are a vital component of the Armed Forces, and the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray’s personal Commendations today underline the commitment and contribution made by three exceptional RAF Reservists.”

Air Specialist Andy Donegan received the Commendation for his contribution to operations. He has been mobilised for full-time service five times since 2016 for airfield protection duties in the UK as well as for COVID-19 Mobile Testing Team duties and driving support at the Commonwealth Games. He also lined the route in London for the funeral procession of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Lord-Lieutenant shaking hands and presenting certificate to Andy Donegan
Air Specialist (Class 1) Andy Donegan (left) receiving the certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General The Honourable Seymour Munro (right).

Corporal Stevie Campbell received his Commendation for his superb dedication to the Armed Forces. After having served in the Army and RAF for 48 consecutive years, he will be retiring shortly. His remarkable contribution to the Armed Forces started with 11 years of duty with the Royal Corps of Transport when he saw service in Northern Ireland. He joined 2622 Squadron as a Reservist in 1986, then transferred to Full Time Reserve Service in 1998, and has now completed 25 years in the Squadron’s Training Team.

He has been responsible for training generations of the Squadron’s recruits and for promoting the very best of standards in all his training duties. Corporal Campbell served on operations during the Second Gulf War. More recently, he was part of the RAF Regiment Training Team, enhancing the skills of the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.

Looking back on his career, Corporal Campbell said: “I most enjoyed the preparation, training and participation in Military Skills Competitions; such as the Altcar Military Skills Competition, Belgium’s International Reserves event, the RAF Regiment Strickland Trophy, Highland Reserves competitions at Black Dog ranges, and more recently the Nijmegen Marches.”

Lord-Lieutenant shaking hands and presenting certificate to Stevie Campbell
Major General The Honourable Seymour Monro (right) presenting Corporal Stevie Campbell’s (left) certificate.

Lance Corporal Neil Robertson has been mobilised for full-time service on five occasions during his service, including Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, airfield protection duties in the UK, Romania, and the Sultanate of Oman. He also assisted during the COVID-19 crisis; firstly as part of a Mobile Testing Team and later on driving duties with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Scottish Ambulance Service is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award holder in the Highland RFCA-area.

He also took part in the ceremonial for Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, route-lining for the funeral procession, and as part of the RAF Regiment contingent for Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Coronation parade.

Lord-Lieutenant shaking hands and presenting certificate to Neil Robertson
Lance Corporal Neil Robertson (left) receiving the certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray (right).

Squadron Leader Chris Beckley is also a Northern Area Committee Member of the Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, and Major General The Honourable Seymour Monro is a Northern Area Committee Associate Member.

2622 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment, based at RAF Lossiemouth, falls under 5 Force Protection Wing. They recruit, train and generate RAF Police and RAF Regiment Reserve personnel in support of RAF Operations at home and abroad. 

To find out more about 2622 Squadron RAuxAF, click HERE.

To find out more about RAF Lossiemouth, click HERE.

2622 (Highland) Squadron badge