RAF Odiham personnel were honoured last month for their contribution in aiding the devastating floods over Christmas in 2015 after they were nominated for a Sun Military Award.

Team members from the base were recognised for its service in helping the flood support when personnel, predominantly from 27 Sqn, but also including the Mobile Air Operations Team and Joint Helicopter Support Sqn, provided vital help when serious flooding occurred in Northern England.

Pumping equipment and ancillaries were positioned in areas inaccessible by road to help support the struggling Foss Barrier in Yorkshire successfully providing protection for hundreds of homes from further flooding.

During their mission personnel shifted over 420 tonnes of sandbags and 6.5 tonnes of barriers into position to dam the gap in the flood defences of the River Douglas in Lancashire.

Before The Sun Military Awards, often known as The Millies, 10 members of RAF were invited to a special reception at No 10 Downing Street, which was hosted by defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

Sgt Gav Anderson, one of the RAF Chinook crewman deployed to Yorkshire during the flood support, said: “For me, the whole two days was an incredible experience. It was a real privilege to be able to represent RAF Odiham at such a prestigious event, and the fact we were recognised for our efforts last year was humbling.

“Being invited to No 10 in the morning for a reception was also pretty incredible, and not many people can say they have been inside Downing Street.”

After the reception, Sqn Ldr Justin Shaw, 27 Sqn, said: “It was a tremendous honour to represent RAF Odiham. Without the tireless effort of the servicemen, civil servants and contractors from the base, acts such as those conducted during the floods wouldn’t be possible.”

RAF Odiham was nominated in the Hero at Home (Unit) Award and although the group didn’t go on to claim a gong at the awards, Sqn Ldr Shaw added: “It was still a huge privilege to be recognised.”

The award eventually went to 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment for their continuous work throughout the previous year – responding to a staggering 1,502 incidents in the first eight months of 2016 alone.