The Citation

Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Carl ‘Taff’ Woolway joined the Royal Air Force in May 2002 aged 20.  Having completed Initial Training at RAF Halton and the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, he spent 4½ years at RAF Odiham before being posted to Tactical Supply Wing (TSW) in Aug 2006.

Following completion of initial TSW training, he deployed to a number of locations overseas including exercises in Norway and Kenya and an operational deployment to Iraq.  During this time he amassed an impressive total of over 200 days deployed in a single year, most of which has been voluntarily.  SAC Woolway is without doubt a professional and competent tradesman whose abilities are trusted by all. Consequently, this has seen him adopt the position of acting Corporal on many occasions; a position he has taken seriously and carried out with meticulous professionalism.  On exercise in Norway, his dedication, combined with his trade ability in the care and preparation of TSW equipment and vehicles, enabled short notice taskings to be carried out in the hostile and austere environment.  Indeed, his efforts were highly praised by the Joint Helicopter Force Commander.  In Iraq he took control of the detachment’s specialist equipment; historically known for requiring a high level of knowledge to use, and which was vital to vehicles completing convoy moves outside the ‘wire’.  SAC Woolway, in true manner, quickly became fully conversant with all aspects of the equipment fitment and its use.  He then took it upon himself to pass on the knowledge that he had gained to other members of the detachment who were required to operate the equipment.

When the JNCO MT CES was detached for a 3-month Out-of-Area commitment, SAC Woolway was the natural choice for his superiors to fulfil the shortfall.  Once again as acting Corporal, he completed his duties to an extremely high standard.  In late 2008, TSW were asked by the MT Trade Sponsor to accommodate six airmen holding between recruit and trade training.  SAC Woolway volunteered in his capacity as an acting Corporal living-in to act as mentor to the newly arrived personnel.  His action proved pivotal in ensuring that their secondment with TSW was both memorable and enjoyable whilst ensuring Service discipline and ethos were upheld for their return to Phase 2 training.  SAC Woolway excelled in this task.  He demonstrated that his leadership, development and trade experience qualities are well above that expected of his current rank.  His dedication to the Service extends beyond his primary duties.  He is a valued member of the TSW Social and Welfare Committee and also acts as the Deputy Bar Manager for the TSW bar; all of which is carried out in his own time.  He has also recently volunteered to be a member of the Station Amenities Centre Committee.

Whether on operations, exercises or based at MOD Stafford, SAC Woolway has consistently displayed an exemplary, proactive, and wholly professional performance in all the duties he has undertaken.  As a result he has gained an enormous amount of respect on TSW and within the Tri-Service environment in which he has been employed.  He has positively met the Royal Air Force’s challenge and has, without doubt, ‘Risen above the Rest’.  In recognition of his efforts, SAC Woolway is the worthy winner of the RAF Servicing Commando and Tactical Supply Wing Association’s President’s Award for 2008.