The Citation

Over the last year, SAC Ferrer has contributed enormously to TSW activities across a range of environments.  His exemplary performance and overwhelmingly positive attitude have consistently prompted notable praise from his chain of command and all of his detachment commanders.

On the departure from TSW of his Section IC, SAC Ferrer took control of the largest tanker pool in the RAF, for a period of 3 months.  The size of the fleet, coupled with the high level of activity, constituted a sizeable task.  He worked tirelessly from the outset, frequently on extended days, in order to ensure that the tankers were always ready to deploy.  He supervised his peers admirably in carrying out the vehicle husbandry, equipment control and millipore and strainer checks.  The excellent level of communication he maintained with Mechanical Transport (MT) Control and the MT Maintenance Section and his continual supervisory performance were characteristic of a senior JNCO.

SAC Ferrer has also undertaken numerous deployments over the period.  During Exercise ASKARI THUNDER in support of Joint Helicopter Force (Kenya), he was responsible for running the Forward Refuel Point at FOB SIMBA; a role usually assigned to a JNCO.  He also completed numerous solo tasks to Mombassa to collect mission critical fuel equipment, demonstrating in a challenging environment that he is both shrewd and intelligent.

He also deployed to Morocco as Acting Corporal on Exercise JEBEL SAHARA in support of 18 Squadron’s Pre-Deployment Training.  The initial task was to interface with Host Nation (HN) personnel during fuel-related tasks; however, on arrival it became evident that there were significant issues with HN facilities and procedures, including microbiological contamination and the absence of equipment and procedures for removal of static electricity.  These shortfalls represented a serious risk to flight safety.  The task immediately changed from one of liaison and cooperation to that of supervision and instruction on safe practices.  Ferrer’s expertise, diplomacy and initiative proved to be invaluable in bringing the HN vehicles up to the minimum safety standards, rectifying all electrical bonding issues on bulk fuel vehicles and conducting repairs to hose equipment and an overpressure valve.  He also identified and solved the absence of ground-earthing equipment on the tanker used to carry out rotors turning refuels.  He then mentored the HN personnel through the Quality Assurance activity and refuelling procedures.  He worked up to 18-hours per day for nearly 3 weeks until additional personnel could be deployed.  Ferrer attracted notable praise from the Detachment Commander, while the detachment as a whole received a laudatory letter from the Commander of Joint Helicopter Force (Morocco) for services to Flight Safety.

Following a subsequent 6-week deployment on Exercise CLOCKWORK in Norway, the Detachment Commander identified Ferrer as being within the top 10% of all Airmen he had ever worked with.  This was based on his positive ’can-do’ attitude and confidence.  On this detachment, Ferrer completed the Extreme Cold Weather Survival Course and then, despite being newly qualified, delivered a presentation on the subject to personnel attending the subsequent course.  He regularly volunteered for additional duties, executing them with supreme professionalism and good humour.

SAC Ferrer has voluntarily dedicated weekends to preparing the MT Hangar for a host of social events such as the TSW Christmas Ball and Families Day Hangar Bash.  This task requires a considerable amount of work, which cannot be undertaken during the week due to activity in the hangar.  He has also volunteered to work on the TSW Bar at many functions and has given up free time over numerous weekends to deliver TSW displays.  Following yet another 6-week detachment to Kenya, SAC Ferrer is now scheduled for Pre-Deployment Training and deployment to Afghanistan in September 2011.  Over the last year, he has demonstrated immense loyalty, initiative and selflessness.  He has shown great potential through his leadership of small teams in austere environments and represents a remarkable prospect for the Service.  He embodies the ‘War Fighter First’ ethos and is utterly deserving of the award of Airman of the Year.