Connah`s Quay Civilian Earns Afghanistan campaign medal

A Connah`s Quay man has been rewarded for his work supporting the front line in Afghanistan from his base at the Defence Support Group Sealand.

Dave Parry from Connah`s Quay

Mike Gilbert, from Leeswood Mold

Keith Wellstead from Buckley

Archie Hughes, Defence Support Group (DSG) Chief Executive recently presented Dave Parry from Connah`s Quay along with two other civilian from DSG Sealand with Afghanistan campaign medals in recognition of their support to front line operations.

DSG operates a purpose built Equipment Sustainability System Regeneration Capability workshop in Camp Bastion under contract from MOD’s Permanent Joint Headquarters.

More recently, DSG has also undertaken further responsibility for operating the Equipment Redeployment Hub Forward; a central hub and receipt point for Vehicle and Main Equipment, identifying assets for redeployment back to the UK and assuring safe recovery of high value assets.

The campaign medals honour the significant risk and rigour civilians face during their time in Camp Bastion providing vital equipment repair services to UK Armed Forces in Theatre.

Mike Gilbert, Dave Parry and Keith Wellstead received their medals at a ceremony held at DSG Donnington accompanied by friends and family.

Mike 31 from Leeswood, Mold deployed as an electrician for 12 months working on Protected Mobility vehicles such as Mastiff, Ridgeback and Wolfhound, he also worked on CAT 320 and Light Field generators during his tour. 

Fellow colleagues Dave 49 from Connah’s Quay and Keith 60 from Buckley both deployed for 12 months. 

Dave worked in stock taking and reconciliation, investigating stock discrepancies and surplus and Keith worked in technical stores, backloading return stores to the UK.

Speaking at the presentation Archie said,

“DSG employees who deploy to Camp Bastion leave their family and friends to work in a very harsh environment supporting our troops.  Our workshops in Bastion are a fantastic shop window for DSG bringing us closer to our customers.  The work we are doing out there ensures equipment becomes available again for our troops as quickly as possible.  
“I thank all our employees for their commitment, I am very proud of them all for deploying and know that they will wear their medals with pride.”