RAF flight sergeant recognized for building outstanding relations between 67th SOS, UK

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, British-American Committee chairman and the 67th Special Operations Squadron honored a Royal Air Force Airman with the BAC Community Relations Award Dec. 7, 2012, here.

Col. Christopher Kulas, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Ken Thompson, BAC chairman, presented a coin to Flight Sgt. Mark Service, RAF Odiham, Oxfordshire, for his years of hard work teaching others about the 67th SOS and its history and ties with Norfolk, Suffolk (both in England) and Scotland.

The BAC presents community relations awards to recognize the efforts of U.K. and U.S. individuals and groups who have enhanced community relations. The awards epitomize the well-documented special relationship shared by our two nations, and recognize efforts on a local and personal level.

Service, from Dumfries, Scotland, has a personal connection to the 67th SOS, which dates back to 1980. He is officially the resident historian for the squadron, and has spent years researching, collecting and updating exhibits detailing the squadron's history for the museums at RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk, and RAF Dumfries.

"My lifelong allegiance to the 67th SOS was sealed back in 1980, when I met Capt. Frank Gray on a Scottish hillside, during (an) operation to recover wreckage of an F-111 (Aardvark) from Upper Heyford," said Service. "He gave me a guided tour of his HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant, and presented me with a 67th (Air Recovery and Rescue Squadron) 'Jolly Green' patch.

"I was hooked, and have been collecting and researching ever since," he said.

Service, a 20-year veteran of the Royal Air Force, is the first RAF recipient of the BAC award in the 'single' category; previous RAF members have received the award within the 'group' category.

He said the award presentation came as a complete surprise to him. Service and his family were invited to the 67th SOS holiday party the night prior, and a retirement ceremony the next day.

"Even when Col. Kulas was talking about the BAC Relations award, it still didn't click," the flight sergeant said. "I noticed that Dr. Howard Tuck, 352nd Special Operations Group honorary commander, was in the audience, and I honestly thought the award was for him."

Service was presented the community relations award for being instrumental in planning and arranging a parade and ceremony in Hunstanton, Norfolk, for Reis Leming, a founding member of the 67th SOS.

In 1953, Hunstanton experienced terrible floods which were amongst the worst in British history. Leming was assigned to the squadron, and assisted in the rescue of 27 people - despite being unable to swim. Others from the squadron were also involved in the rescue, but being more than 6-feet tall meant Leming could cross some of the deepest parts of the flooded areas, to get where many of the victims were.

Leming was awarded the George Medal and, as part of the 60th anniversary of the 67th SOS, a commemoration event took place in Hunstanton recently. The George Medal is awarded to civilians for acts of great bravery, and to military personnel for those acts for which military honors would not normally be granted, such as acts of great bravery not in the presence of the enemy.

"Mark led the charge with community coordination and contacted Reis Leming to attend the event," said Lt. Col. Shelley Rodriguez, 67th SOS commander. She explained that the flight sergeant went above and beyond to secure a round-trip ticket for Leming to attend the anniversary events.

Unfortunately, just before the event, Leming passed away.

"It was an unfortunate turn of events, but thanks to Mark's tremendous work for the weekend, the anniversary events were still heralded a success," said Rodriguez.

Due to the success of the community event, the commander said the squadron featured in the Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times and numerous local publications.

Additionally, as part of the community event, the naming of a footpath, "Reis Leming Way," will ensure memories of the rescuer will never be forgotten.

"Mark is unbelievable. To sum up his connection and contribution in a few sentences, simply isn't possible. He's single-handedly infused our squadron with an immense amount of heritage, and has inspired our youngest of folks to continue the tradition of learning and preserving history," said Rodriguez.

"As a squadron commander, it's priceless to have someone invoke such pride and understanding of the mission and heritage - it makes my job of leading and unifying easy," she said.

"The 'Night Owls' have permitted me and my family to be part of their family, and we thoroughly enjoy this special relationship. The 67th (SOS) has been conducting air rescue and special operations over Europe for more than 60 years, and theirs is a long and proud heritage," said Service. "I feel humbled and privileged to be a small part of that."

The 67th SOS commander said she feels Service has truly made both British and American citizens aware of a uniquely shared heritage, and that he has infused a common sense of purpose between the military stationed in England and the host nation.

"The relationships Mark has renewed between Hunstanton and the 67th (SOS), while special, extend well beyond both the town and the squadron," said Rodriguez. ""I've been contacted by several U.S. and U.K. agencies, so I think Mark's efforts have bolstered community relations to the highest levels, not just the squadron and town."