Commander Medical Of British Forces Cyprus To Receive OBE For COVID Leadership

The commander of medical personnel across British Forces Cyprus was in a very Royal setting when she found out she was to be honoured by the Queen.

Group Captain Sonia Phythian, who is to receive an OBE for her efforts leading her teams throughout the coronavirus pandemic, said it was a "splendid setting for splendid news".

"When I was told the news I was at Windsor Castle in the grounds on a leadership course and Commander British Forces telephoned me to tell me the news," Group Captain Phythian, Commander Medical, British Forces Cyprus, told Forces News.

After receiving the news she phoned her family, who were "absolutely amazed".

"It’s so special to share such an honour with your family because none of us do this on our own," she added. "We are very much reliant on our family to support us to do the work that we do for defence."

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, key decisions had to be made quickly.

It was a challenging time for Gp Capt Phythian and her team, but cases on the British bases in Cyprus remained low.

She told Forces News: "Tempo was fast and it was really important that we got information out quickly and accurately so that everybody knew what part they had to play in protecting ourselves from the virus.”

Gp Capt Phythian added she feels "lucky" to have "such brilliant people" around her on the island.

"Every day I’m continually humbled and inspired by what they do – they work hard, they care and they are fun to be with," she said.

It is not clear when Gp Capt Phythian will be able to attend an investiture ceremony because of the pandemic.