A SOLIDER from Birchwood will receive recognition from The Queen for her efforts in Afghanistan last year.

Staff sergeant Andrea Pearson, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), of the Stafford Detachment Regional Command will be awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service.

This is for ensuring the successful drawn down and redeployment of equipment from Afghanization in 2021.

Andrea, a movement controller with the RLC, was already deployed on an operation in support of the drawdown of kit and equipment from Afghanistan when the Taliban took back control of the country last year.

Responding to the news about her award, the former Birchwood Community High School pupil said: “It’s amazing. I was so surprised. I’ve previously received commendations but not at that level. It’s so reassuring to get thanked for the work you’ve done.”

Andrea’s citation states: “Her expertise was critical to the success of the operation.

“She was the most senior logistician to operate successively in three locations and her technical acumen, extraordinary energy and attention to detail ensured all three Theatre Drawdown Units (TDU) achieved their missions to redeploy equipment and freight to the Strategic Base on time and in good order.”

Andrea added: “I was happy I was going to be involved.

“At first I didn’t know to what extent.

“I was asked if I would go to Minhad (UAE), and when the freight and everything sent out for Op Pitting was brought back,

“I sorted it out and made sure it was moved back to the UK and other locations in good order.”

During Andrea’s 27 years in the British Army, she has served on operations in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and South Sudan.

She said: “It was good to support something that saved a lot of people’s lives. It was interesting because it was different from any other operation I’d been on.”

Armed Forces Operational Awards List Number 57 was published in the London Gazette on May 13, 2022.

It includes awards in respect of worldwide operations for the period from April 1, 2021, to September 30 2021.