UK AOC Education and Awards

Recognition and Awards Programme

In order to support and encourage members of the UK Armed Services EW community, the AOC UK Chapter has an ever growing recognition and awards programme.

The current status of these awards is as follows:

1. The Royal Navy Petty Officer (EW) Professional Qualifying Course. Best Student award plus £100 per course and up to three courses per year. Awarded in 2010 to PO John Keiller, BZ to John.

2. The Royal Navy Fleet EW Effectiveness Trophy (Annual). Announced as HMS Cumberland for 2009. A Trophy plus £250 will be presented to the EW Team HMS Cumberland early 2010.

3. RAF Smallwood Trophy (Biennual). Awarded to the Air Platform Protection Operational Evaluation Unit (APPOEU) in 2008. Trophy plus £500.

4. Defence Academy - College of Management & Technology, Military Electronic Systems Engineering (MESE) course Best UK Student (Annual). Awarded to Squadron Leader Richard Birchenall in 2008. Certificate of Commendation plus £200.

5. EW Operational Award for Units deployed to the frontline. Awarded to 226 Signal Squadron (EW) for EW operations in Afghanistan 2009. Plaque plus £500.

6. The Royal Air Force Aerosystems Course, Air Warfare Centre, RAF College Cranwell best personal thesis. Awarded to Squadron Leader PJ Richley in 2009 plus £200.

7. The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) Chicksands, Basic Communications Exploitation Course (BCEC) for the ‘most improved student’. A sum of £50 per course for the first 8    courses has been allocated and will then be subject to review. To date 2 courses have attracted awards further awards are under consideration.

8. UK Chapter members Roger Blackburn and David Kitching have both been recognised with the AOC Col Anton D. Brees Life Achievement Award for many years service to the world of  EW and the UK Chapter in particular.  These awards will be presented during ceremonies at the forthcoming annual AOC symposium and exhibition in Atlanta, GA, USA  during October 2009.  Well done Roger and David, extrememly well deserved and congratulations on this recognition.

The UK Chapter Board of Directors is also keen to receive special nominations on behalf of UK individuals or organisations that are considered most worthy to be recognised with an International AOC award. All such nominations must be supported by a comprehensive citation and any other relevant information which clearly explains why the nominee should be considered for an International AOC prestigious award. All nominations will be considered and should be submitted in the first instance to the UK Chapter Vice President.