Real Lives: RAF’s Ricky honoured for his vital Afghan role

A returning Afghanistan veteran has been honoured with the RAF’s Operational Service Medal Afghanistan with clasp.

Corporal Ricky Milne, 41, who is currently based at Royal Air Force Leuchars in Fife, received the award upon his recent return from deployment at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.

The award was made by Commander-in-Chief Air Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant.

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Cpl Milne’s proud wife, Charlotte and children Maggie and Euart are delighted to have him back safe and sound.

A former pupil of Craigmount High School, Cpl Milne performed an essential logistics role as part of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing at the Nato base, ensuring the spare parts for aircraft were always available.

Cpl Milne joined the Royal Air Force in 1991 and has been accompanied by his wife and children on numerous postings both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Upon his return from Afghanistan, he said of his deployment: “It has to be one of the busiest I have done in my career due to the high tempo of work but it is good to be home and settled back into normality with my family.”

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Despite working long hours, Corporal Milne also found time to assist in a project on behalf of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, by arranging for photographs to be taken around various sections of a Combat Teddy Bear.

These photographs will now be included in a story book to help give service children a better understanding of the role played by service personnel in Afghanistan.

Between ten and 15 per cent of personnel at RAF Leuchars are engaged in operations and deployments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands at any one time.

At the award ceremony, Air Officer Scotland and RAF Leuchars Station Commander Air Commodore Gavin Parker praised the dedication of his personnel.

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He said: “It is very gratifying for me as Station Commander to see our personnel receive honours and awards recognising their dedicated service in the presence of their families and friends.

“All of today’s recipients have made a significant contribution to the Royal Air Force and are to be congratulated.”

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