CSAF presents Bronze Star to Royal Air Force exchange officer Published Oct. 31, 2007 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force have worked together frequently during the last ninety years. The 18th Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley reinforced the close bond between USAF and RAF Airmen when he presented the Bronze Star Medal to RAF Wing Commander Red Thompson during a ceremony here Oct. 19. Wing Commander Thompson is an exchange officer based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and worked for General Moseley during the planning for and initial execution stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2002 to 2003 while based at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. During the ceremony, General Moseley related a number of personal memories of the time and reflected on the outstanding contributions made by Wing Commander Thompson to coalition planning over the period. "I cannot speak highly enough of the contributions made by Wing Commander Thompson to meeting our goals," General Moseley said to an audience of U.S.-based RAF exchange officers attending their annual conference. "As chief of our long-range strategy team while planning Operation Iraqi Freedom and fighting Enduring Freedom, Red ensured complete integration of the RAF into the (joint air operations plan). And while chief of long-range strategy throughout OIF major combat operations, he shaped my apportionment plans (when I was combined force air component commander) and aligned the air operations directives with my operational scheme of maneuver, ensuring our warfighters clearly knew the commander's intent before every mission." The wing commander is about to retire after 34 years of service. General Moseley addressed his family by saying, "I would like to thank you for your support over all of these years because I am aware that your sacrifice has been every bit as great as that of your husband." Having presented the Bronze Star, General Moseley stayed on to make a speech to the RAF exchange officers. His wide ranging speech highlighted the importance of the long-standing relationship between the two air forces. "We are exceptionally grateful General Moseley was able to support our conference again and his personal approach was highly valued," said Air Commodore Phil Goodman, the British air attache. "Our air forces work superbly well together but the genuine interest shown by such senior U.S. Air Force leaders provides a first class example for our exchange officers to follow". In addition to General Moseley, a number of other U.S. Air Force senior leaders presented at the conference including Dr. Lani Kass, special assistant to chief of staff and Dr. Mark Lewis, chief scientist for the Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, RAF AIR Command commander, flew in especially to give a keynote speech to the conference attendees. The RAF contributes greatly to the personnel exchange program, with more than 50 people filling billets in the U.S. "Our personnel exchange program is very important to us, and we are fortunate to have our officers working in a variety of environments from the tactical to the strategic," Air Commodore Goodman said. "I am absolutely convinced that they make an increasingly important contribution to the critical relationship that exists between our services." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page