Two Senior Rates from the Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF) have received the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) at a special ceremony in Portsmouth.
Warrant Officer First Class (Air Engineering Technician) Mark Hyde and Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Mechanic) Andrew ‘Topsy’ Turner both received their awards after being nominated on the Queen’s Birthday List 2016.
The medals were presented by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE onboard Nelson’s Flagship HMS victory.
The MSM recognises good, faithful, valuable and meritorious service of non-commissioned personnel who are of irreproachable character and conduct; an award only given to a maximum of 52 Navy Service personnel annually.
Warrant Officer Mark Hyde has forged a spectacular career of unwavering commitment and loyalty, joining the Service in September 1988, accruing an already impressive 27 years of service.
Excelling from the early stages of his career, Mark has been particularly noted for his inspirational leadership, management and operational success during numerous deployed operations as an air engineer, already resulting in a 3 star commendation.
Imparting his knowledge onto trainees during the latter stages of his career whilst at HMS Sultan, he has proven an ability not only to set the professional standards for future generations, but identify areas for improvement and drive them through to resolution.
Now working as the Air Engineer Officer at MASF, he continues to actively improve the engineering management process in order to provide maximum Operational Capability.
Mark’s Commanding Officer on MASF, Lieutenant Commander Chris Roberts MSM, stated: “Capacity, credibility, an infectious appetite to achieve and unwavering professional commitment are the golden threads throughout Hyde’s exemplary 27 year service, and he fully deserves recognition”.
On receiving the award Mark reflected: “I am very proud and humbled to have even been considered for this award”.
Chief Petty Officer ‘Topsy’ Turner has displayed exemplary behaviour in every aspect of his career spanning 31 years, joining the Navy in 1984 as a Junior Seaman Operator, and subsequently transferring to the Fleet Air Arm as a mechanic.
He’s worked on eight squadrons, nine Ships and five different aircraft types during his career, including the Harrier and the Commando Helicopter Force on Operations in Bosnia and Croatia.
‘Topsy’ has demonstrated consistently above average technical abilities.
A man of the people, he is able to impart his vast knowledge onto the more junior members of the service, teaching young technicians at HMS Sultan, but also working effortlessly in the local community, organising events such as local fireworks displays.
Now working as a Senior Maintenance Rating at MASF, his experience and ability continue to have a positive effect on the organisation.
