Ten: Sergeant (Chief Technician) M. J. Foster, No 7 Squadron (Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing) Royal Air Force, who was awarded the O.SM. for Sierra Leone, with rosette, for Operation Maidenly on 15 July 2000 and subsequently a Commander (Joint Helicopter Command’s) Commendation in 2008 for his work as a specialist engineer on Chinook Helicopters

General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (SAC (F8409336); NATO Medal, clasp, Former Yugoslavia; Operational Service Medal, Sierra Leone 2000-2002, with rosette (Jnr. Tech. (F8409336) RAF); Iraq 2003, clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (Cpl (F8409336) RAF); Operational Service Medal, clasp, Afghanistan (Sgt (F8409336) RAF); Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; R.A.F. L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Cpl (F8409336) RAF); together with two NATO Medals, both with ISAF clasps, nearly extremely fine (10) £3500-4500

The following is extracted from the original recommendation for the award of a J.H.C. Commendation, a copy of which is included with the lot:

‘Sergeant Melvyn 'Melly' Foster has spent much of his RAF career as an engineer on 7 Sqn delivering and sustaining the CH47 aircraft required to support UK Special Forces. He was first posted to 7 Sqn in November 1994 as a Senior Aircraftsman, returning again as a newly promoted Junior Technician, deploying on operations in Northern Ireland, Former Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone. He most recently returned to the Sqn on promotion to Sergeant in 2005 and it is for this last three years of service as 'Heavy Rectification Controller' on JSFAW/7 Sqn that he has been singled out from amongst the Wing's engineers for his outstanding engineering and leadership.

As a SNCO on 7 Sqn, Foster has played a vital role in supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other SF operations worldwide. No example better illustrates the importance of Foster's contribution to the success of these operations than his role in recovering ZA675 after being badly damaged in a heavy landing on Op ZAFAR. The extent of the aircraft's damage, and risk of further serious damage to the airframe, made recovery difficult. Foster expertly planned and executed the breakdown of the aircraft, minimising additional damage and enabling recovery back to the UK: as a result, ZA675 is flying on the Sqn today.

Foster has the same strong sense of purpose in supporting training as he does operations. This was no more apparent than on Ex QUICKSANDS 07 supporting a 7 Sqn detachment conducting an essential low ambient light operation OTX. The fragility of the supply chain resulted in a number of essential spares being delayed making the generation of 'two-from-two:, the mandated
100% serviceability expected of SF aviation, almost impossible. Without Foster's experience, skill and determination in finding solutions to a number of engineering problems, the Sqn would not have completed their training and mission capability could have been compromised.

Foster epitomises all that is expected of a 7 Sqn engineer: diligence, reliability, integrity, a dogged determination to succeed when faced with adversity, leadership, engineering knowledge, experience and the ability to find novel solutions to complex engineering problems without compromising airworthiness. His professional effectiveness is only matched by his good humour, which is infectious. He is an example to all of the engineers on the JSFAW and he will be sorely missed when he leaves the SHF to begin training on the King Air 350.

For his outstanding contribution to engineering on JSFAW/7 Sqn, I strongly recommend Sergeant Foster be awarded Commander JHC's Commendation.’

Sold with the following original documentation:

i) Record of Service, confirming medal and clasp entitlement, including ‘Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone with Rosette, 15 July 2000’.

ii) Original Commander in Chief Land Forces Certificate for Meritorious Service, dated 14 June 2008.

iii) Letter of congratulation on award of Commendation from Lieutenant Colonel JTE Illingworth, AAC, Commanding Officer, Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing, dated 28 June 2008.

iv) Award Certificates for NATO, Former Yugoslavia and NATO, Non-Article 5 medals.

v) Royal Air Force Testimonial, dated 20 January 2013, from which the following is extracted:

‘Chief Technician Foster joined the Royal Air Force in 1989 as an Aircraft Technician and upon completion of his trade training was employed across the UK and numerous overseas locations. Possessing a keen thirst for knowledge he mastered the intricate systems of several aircraft types which included Puma, Gazelle and Chinook helicopters, Tristar C2A/KC1 and the Kingair to mention just a few... It was his selfless drive and dedication which resulted in him being hand selected by his Chain of Command to join a unique project fostered by the Royal Air Force. The Shadow R1, Kingair, was introduced into military service as a specialist surveillance aircraft... Chief Technician Foster’s total commitment to the Royal Air Force has also been evident by him volunteering to deploy to various locations, in some instances for long periods of time. This has been recognised officially, earning him a plethora of military awards for serving his country in numerous war torn areas.’

vi) ‘Valedictory Certificate’, dated 20 January 2013, in recognition of 23 years distinguished service in the Royal Air Force.

vii) Copies of various pictures, including recipient.

viii) Three limited edition prints, comprising, ‘Chinook HC2 ZA684, 7 Squadron, RAF Odiham’ (this signed by various squadron members), ‘No 14 Squadron, Shadow R1 ZZ418, 14 Squadron, RAF Waddington’, ‘14 Squadron Reformation 14th October 2011, Shadow R Mk1’.