OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- A Royal Air Force member assigned to the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron was presented the U.S. Air Medal June 6, 2025, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
While at 379th Expeditionary Wing, AL Udeid Air Force Base, Qatar, Flt. Lt. Tom Keable, 343rd RS evaluator pilot, was pivotal in the collection and distribution of critical, time sensitive intelligence that brought awareness to battlefield commanders, strike aircraft, and grounded combat forces.
“I am honoured to receive this award because it draws wider attention to the achievements of my crew and recognizes our success as a team,” Keable said.
In 2014, Keable joined the RAF. In 2018, he finished RC-135 initial qualification with the 338th Combat Training Squadron and flew the UK Rivet Joint with 51 Squadron until 2022. Flt. Lt. Keable has flown nearly 1500 hours in the RC-135.
Keable is a part of the Military Personnel Exchange Program and the MPEP help facilitates a one for one exchange of military personnel between the U.S. and allied nations.
“Flt. Lt. Keable earning the U.S. Air Medal reinforces across our crew force how our U.K. and U.S. Rivet Joint crews are mutually supportive,” said Lt. Col. Robert Smith, 343 RS commander. “Our crews recognize his professionalism and aviation skill within the squadron, Flt. Lt. Keable’s well-earned decoration represents that more officially.”
Smith voiced the importance of the U. S. Armed Forces members working together with its allies to keep our nations safe.
“It’s a great point of pride having Flt Lt Keable seamlessly integrated into the 343d, and a reminder of how important it is to train & operate with our allies,” Smith said. “The Ravens are lucky to have Flt. Lt. Keable as part of our team.”
Keable hopes to deploy again and provide guidance to airmen down range to ensure the U.S. Air Force remains lethal during its military campaigns.
“I hope to deploy again with the USAF, this time in an instructional capacity, where I will be able to put my operational experience to good use,” Keable said. “This will mean assisting new deployers with operational procedures, tactics and guiding their professional and personal development.”