Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit honoured
15 Jan 10
The Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit (MASU) Repair Section was recently awarded a Royal Aeronautical Society medal for its work restoring vital operational capability in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A member of the Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit carries out a repair on an aircraft
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2008]
The team, based at Fleetlands, Gosport, repair aircraft around the world which have been damaged through accident or enemy action and work around the clock, in 50-degree-Celsius heat through to sub-zero temperatures.
The team have faced a wide variety of repair tasks, notably in Afghanistan and Iraq, ranging from small arms fire skin damage and airframe fatigue cracking to significant structural damage caused by rocket attacks, returning critical support helicopters to service in support of troops and saving the cost of repatriating the helicopters to the UK.
During the past year, besides commitments in operational theatres, the team has repaired structural damage to aircraft around the world in locations as diverse as Kenya, Arizona, Columbia and Japan.
On receiving the honour from the Royal Aeronautical Society, Lieutenant Commander Andy Dunn, the Repair Manager, said:
"We are delighted to receive this award, which was completely unexpected. The award reflects the hard work of our helicopter structural Repair Teams in Afghanistan and Iraq - and indeed throughout the world - over the last five years.
Members of the Royal Navy's Mobile Air Support Unit complete a repair on a helicopter
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2008]
"Returning damaged helicopters to operations as soon as is safely possible is a tremendously rewarding job and I consider myself hugely lucky to lead such a talented and hardworking team.
"Our permanent team in Afghanistan is busy repairing aircraft at this very moment and this award is as much for them as those of us able to attend this evening."
The presentation of the 2009 Royal Aeronautical Society's awards took place before Christmas and followed the Royal Aeronautical Society's 98th Wilbur and Orville Wright Lecture, which was given by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff.
The Royal Aeronautical Society's medals and awards recognise the achievements, innovation and excellence of both individuals and teams.
These honours are for achievements and contributions in all disciplines of the global aerospace industry. Anyone who has made an exceptional contribution to aerospace, anywhere in the world, whether, for example, in academia, aerospace manufacturing, air transport, air traffic control, defence, government or research, is eligible to be nominated.