RCAF officer awarded German Silver Cross of Honour
News Article / November 30, 2012
Major Edmund Roberds got the surprise of his life late last year when officers from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) presented him with the Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in silber (Silver Cross of Honour), during a short ceremony held in the German Club at 5 Wing Goose Bay, N.L.
The medal is awarded to military personnel for exemplary service or outstanding deeds and extraordinary achievements; it is similar to the Canadian Order of Military Merit decorations. Maj Roberds is the second Canadian Forces member, and the only Royal Canadian Air Force member, to have received this honour.
“My first reaction was a feeling of being overwhelmed.“ said Maj Roberds, who is the wing operations officer at 5 Wing. “I felt very honoured and, at the same time, almost in a state of disbelief that my commander [at NATO] had thought so much of the job I had done, because I honestly felt it was the norm for my position.“
Maj Roberds received the award for his work with NATO and the German military during his posting to the NATO Early Warning and Control Force E-3A Component in Geilenkirchen, Germany from July 1, 2010, to the summer of 2011.
He was a reliable link between German and international NATO interests, while working simultaneously in support of Operation Unified Protector, and Operation Afghan Assist.
Op Unified Protector was a NATO-led effort to protect the people of Libya, while NATO’s Operation Afghanistan Assist coordinated and deconflicted the increasingly busy air traffic over Afghanistan.
Maj Roberds accomplished these tasks with teamwork, assertiveness and great diplomatic skill.
“Although this is an individual honour, it could not have been achieved without the absolute professional personnel that I worked with,” said Maj Roberds. “I would very much like folks to know that nothing can be accomplished on your own and thanks to the outstanding superiors, peers and subordinates, I received this honour.”