b'8 Partner News Winter 2023MODCelebrating Engineering Excellence:The Churchill MedalAward 2023The annual Churchill Medal Award (CMA)They were tasked to repair the recurrentCommanding Officer of HMS Audacious, ceremony was held on Thursday 2 Novemberfailures faced by the Main Vent OperatingCommander James Howard, said: The 2023 at IET London: Savoy Place.Mechanisms inside partially flooded Maindedication, innovation and engineering The Churchill Medal Award is an emblemBallast Tanks as these defects significantlyprofessionalism demonstrated by the team of excellence in engineering and technicalimpacted Audacious ability to safely conductin the face of extreme pressure and under advancement, awarded annually forcovert operations.challenging conditions is truly outstanding. engineering and innovation in the ArmedTheir actions made a direct and significant Forces and MOD on behalf of the JointIn addition to the environmental constraints,contribution to operational availability and Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs). Audacious had to remain within a fixedstrategic capability, and they are considered readiness profile throughout, which meanthighly worthy of recognition. The CMA was first given in 1952 bythe team had to be able to fully revert the Society of Engineers as their mostthe system or complete the repair withinThis years exceptional finalists were:prestigious accolade. This distinguisheda limited timeframe to enable sailing. This award pays honour to those who have madetremendous technical challenge requiredStaff Sergeant Charlie Pengilley,outstanding contributions to the realm ofsignificant adaptations to existing processesCorps of Royal Engineers, The British Armyengineering and technology, particularly inand the generation of bespoke procedures asHigh Risk Operations Cell, The Royal Air support of military operations and readiness.similar repairs had only ever previously beenForceThis year, we were fortunate to have receivedattempted in a UK Dry Dock, with full access1710 NAS Data Exploitation Team - a remarkable array of nominations, leading tointo the Main Ballast Tanks for specialistcomprising a team of three from The Royal the selection of five exceptionally deservingtechnicians to work on the mechanisms.Navy, and one Ministry of Defence Civil finalists. Servant within 1710 Naval Air SquadronFrom arrival to completion of testing, theLieutenant Commander Anthony Gilroy, The mission of the Joint PEIs is to inspire theentire process was completed in 19 days.The Royal Navybroader public to join the engineering andIn successfully conducting these highly technology industry, thereby advancing thecomplex operations underwater, the teamWe congratulate all the finalists and the global engineering community. Our finalistsensured that Audacious remained in theatrewinning team and would like to thank all have not only left an indelible mark in theirdelivering vital National Tasking for a furtherwho attended this years ceremony and respective domains but have also enriched6 months. contributed to the evening being a huge the entire engineering world.success. The Audacious team shared: Its a massive This years CMA was won by HMS Audaciousprivilege and we feel really honored andLearn more about the CMA at: & C-Squadron DTXG Main Vent Repair Team,proud of ourselves to have won such atheiet.org/cmaSubmarine Service and Diving and Threatprestigious award. A lot of the day to day Exploitation Group, The Royal Navy.jobs that we do we never talk about so its a great acknowledgment and recognition HMS Audacious unprecedented 11-monthfor what we do. It makes us proud for Mediterranean Deployment was in directourselves on the platform and the divers who response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.supported us throughout the deployment.'