Sword of Peace goes to airborne medics for humanitarian work in crisis zones
Airborne medics have been honoured for their courage, humanity and professionalism in the face of danger while carrying out humanitarian relief work.
16 Medical Regiment was awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace in recognition of its work in 2023, including providing medical care after the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
Other key missions for 16 Med Regt that year were supporting the evacuation of British personnel from Sudan and taking healthcare to isolated communities in Kenya.
The award was presented to the regiment by the Duke of Gloucester, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Medical Service, at Colchester's Merville Barracks.
The award citation praised 16 Med Regt personnel as "the very best of representatives for the United Kingdom" when treating "the most desperate and vulnerable under the harshest of circumstances".
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Betts, the Commanding Officer of 16 Med Regt, said: "It is a hugely proud occasion for the regiment to receive this award, and a moment for us to reflect on the dedication, adaptability and compassion shown by our soldiers during a particularly demanding period.
"As airborne medics, we are defined by our role - to be ready to deploy at short notice, anywhere in the world, to deliver lifesaving medical treatment to our soldiers and people in need - and have been recognised for delivering that to the highest standard."
16 Med Regt provides medical support to 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army's global response force.
Such treatment goes from care at the point of wounding to damage control surgery.
Its personnel include consultant orthopaedic surgeons, dentists, nurses and Combat Medical Technicians, all of whom are trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter or airlanding.
In 2023, the regiment deployed troops on 18 operations and for training in 26 countries.
After the Turkey earthquake, the unit worked with the Turkish health services and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to establish a medical facility at the heavily damaged town of Turkoglu, treating 6,300 patients.
During the Sudan evacuation, troops provided the sole surgical facility supporting the international operation.
Of 2,450 people evacuated by the UK Armed Forces, 350 were treated for conditions ranging from extreme heat injury to gunshot wounds.
Staff Sergeant Elaine Bell, a biomedical scientist, said: "It's a proud moment to receive this award.
"It was a very high tempo period with lots of hard work, but it is very rewarding to be there with the skills to help people when they need it most.
"I work as part of a small surgical team and we all contribute our specialist skills, but it's also important that we do what we can to help and look after each other."
In Kenya, the medics teamed up with the Kenyan armed forces and NGOs to roam across the savannah and deliver outreach clinics in 11 remote villages, treating 7,500 patients.
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