Squadron Leader Mary B O’Neill of 502 (Ulster) Squadron has been awarded the prestigious King’s Volunteer Reservist Medal in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Squadron Leader O’Neill joined the Squadron in 2015 as a Senior Nursing Officer having transferred from the Army Reserves. In 2018, she received a commendation for her work in establishing the nursing cadre at the Squadron.. That same year, she took up an Additional Duties Commitment post as Officer Commanding the Squadron’s Medical Reserves Flight. In 2022, she mobilised as a Hospital Liaison Officer with the Military Assistance Civilian Authority during the covid outbreak, and later that year she received the Defence Nurse of the Year award from the Royal College of Nursing in recognition of her meritorious service whilst performing both covid and military duties.
She will retire from 502 Squadron in 2023 having completed 23 years as a reservist she will, however, continue as a Nurse in the National Health Service.