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For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 26 April 2024 at 18:41
An ambulance officer will be helping to improve relations between ambulance and military personnel after being awarded a prestigious honorary commander role.
Robert Flute was given the accolade by the RAF Lakenheath 48th Fighter Wing in Suffolk, also known as the Liberty Wing, on Friday (29th April).
The Honorary Commander programme helps to build vital relationships throughout east Anglia, where key members of local business, government and beyond are invited to become honorary commanders in different areas of the base.
Honorary commanders support by sharing their professional knowledge, personal experiences, and participating in squadron and wing events. They also serve as base advocates, helping build important relationships between the base and the community and bringing people together as part of the ‘Team Liberty’ family. To help them transition into the program, they are placed into squadrons most suited to their individual careers – with Robert being placed with the 48 Medical Operations Squadron.
Robert, who is currently seconded to the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), is looking forward to supporting the cause: “I hope by using my experience with the Trust and my national role within NARU I will be able to offer engagement opportunities for the ambulance service. Personnel have been invited to sit on NHS forums in the region and I would look to enhance this on a more national basis.
“I’m hopeful I’ll be able to highlight the ambulance service’s specialist capabilities, and help underpin the true multi-agency and joint working ethic that I strive for.”
Robert and his wife Amanda, who also works for the Trust, were invited to a special ceremony at the airbase last week to accept the accolade. After being presented with a guard of honour and the squadron banner by Colonel Jay Vietas, Commander of 48 Medical Operations Squadron, Robert was asked to swear the honorary commander oath.
After joining the ambulance service in 1997, and becoming a paramedic in 2000, Robert made his way into the world of emergency preparedness and resilience where he has remained for many years. Having also held the role of Chair of the Norfolk and Suffolk local resilience forums respectively, he brings a wealth of experience at both a regional and national level.
“I felt incredibly honoured to be chosen,” he said. “This is the culmination of my career and I will be very proud indeed to take up the role.”
“I have visited RAF Lakenheath many times in my previous roles, even once as a paramedic to treat and convey a patient, and have always been a most welcome guest. I very much look forward to working alongside our service and our military colleagues both now and going forward.”
The 48th Fighter Wing has called RAF Lakenheath its home since 1960, following its reactivation in 1952 in Chaumont, France.
Published 6th May, 2016