RAF engineer named Churchill Medal winner

An RAF engineer, whose work has resulted in a reduction of casualties from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan, has won a prestigious engineering award from the IET.

Flight Lieutenant David Ramsey from RAF Leeming in Northallerton, UK, is named as the winner of the Churchill Medal, supported by the IET.

He has been rewarded for his outstanding engineering professionalism in the disciplines of requirement analysis, system engineering and project management. His work has provided an innovative information management solution to support Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) operations in Afghanistan.

His solution to the problem of transferring information between key personnel led to a significant increase in the number of IED makers being detained. This has reduced the threat to coalition forces and the Afghan population.

Mark Organ, IET head of Membership, said: “I would like to personally congratulate Flight Lieutenant Ramsey on his achievement and look forward to seeing him officially presented with the award.”

First presented in 1952, previous recipients of the Churchill Medal include Sir Frank Whittle who is credited with inventing the turbojet engine and Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, the British aviation pioneer.

The Churchill Medal reflects achievement in engineering and technical advancement in support of military operations for those serving within the British Armed Forces.