11 April 2025
In a heartfelt ceremony held at the RAAF Williamtown Heritage Aviation Centre (Fighterworld) on March 21, Warrant Officer Richard Judd was presented with his Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM) after 53 years of dedicated service.
When the DLSM was introduced, it replaced the Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM). In order to be awarded the DLSM, members are required to first hand back their DFSM.
In 2024, Warrant Officer Judd made the difficult decision to return his DFSM after wearing it proudly for 37 years. As a result, he was awarded the DLSM and Clasps 1-7 (including three Federation Stars).
Officer in Charge of the RAAF Williamtown Heritage Aviation Centre Wing Commander Linda New and her team decided to surprise Warrant Officer Judd with a ceremony to present his new medal and acknowledge the many years of service from Warrant Officer Judd and his family.
The idea for the event stemmed from a casual conversation with a colleague, Sergeant John Dingle, where Warrant Officer Judd had mentioned how good it would be if Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) Air Marshal Robert Chipman were to present him his DLSM.
Many years before, Warrant Officer Judd and then Wing Commander Chipman had worked together in the executive team at 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal as Commanding Officer and Warrant Officer Engineering.
“When the package containing the DLSM arrived, I consulted Sergeant Dingle for ideas,” Wing Commander New said.
“He immediately suggested VCDF present the medal. I started the ball rolling from there. After checking with the Chief of Air Force’s office, I contacted VCDF’s team to work out the art of the possible and received a positive response right away.”
'A day I will never forget. I still get emotional thinking about it.'
After six months of careful planning, the event finally came together.
Warrant Officer Judd was surprised to enter the RAAF Williamtown Heritage Aviation Centre and see his family, work team, staff and volunteers of Fighterworld Inc., Air Marshal Chipman, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, and senior leadership from RAAF Base Williamtown there for his ceremony.
The ceremony was one Warrant Officer Judd will remember for a long time.
“A day I will never forget. I still get emotional thinking about it,” Warrant Officer Judd said.
From the outset, it was clear that the ceremony was not just to celebrate Warrant Officer Judd’s impressive career, but also to honour the incredible love and support of his family.
Warrant Officer Judd joined the Air Force in January 1972 at 16 years and 9 months. He served in the permanent Air Force for 41 years and the reserves for 12 (and counting). He is currently the technical safety adviser for Fighterworld.
Wing Commander New and Air Marshal Chipman shared stories of Warrant Officer Judd’s career, and important moments in the Judd family’s journey as an Air Force family.
“Doing this for Warrant Officer Judd was one of the most special moments for me in my 41 years in uniform,” Wing Commander New said.
“It was an absolute pleasure to honour his service in this way and to acknowledge the contribution of Denise Judd and the family. My team, in particular Sergeant John Dingle, went above and beyond to pull together the celebration of Warrant Officer Judd and his family. I could not be prouder of their efforts.”
Air Marshal Chipman considered it an honour to present Warrant Officer Judd with his DLSM.
“Fifty-three years of service is an incredible feat and I thank Juddy and his family, especially his wife Denise, for their dedication and also their friendship,” he said.
