RAF's Shawbury base is now one of UK’s best s- Owen Paterson
As Shropshire’s RAF base gears up for the start of a £1.1 billion training contract, a county MP has been to see their work first hand.
Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, visited RAF Shawbury to find out more about the training delivered at the base’s School of Air Operations Control and the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
The UK Military Flying Training System rotary-wing contract was awarded to Ascent, which is based at the RAF Shawbury station, last year.
It will last for 20 years and means 220 extra jobs for the north Shropshire base.
RAF Shawbury is already the home of helicopter training for not only RAF but also Navy and Army pilots and rear crew.
The contract will deliver Airbus 135 Juno HT1 helicopters and hoist-equipped H145 Jupiter HT1 helicopters.
The first helicopters have already been seen in the skies above Shropshire as they prepare to enter full-time service at RAF Shawbury from April 2018.
The contract, which will run until 2033, also includes the capacity to train up to 286 students annually across all three of the UK’s armed services, the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps.
During his visit Mr Paterson was shown around the base and not only sat in the new Airbus helicopter but also had a go in one of the new simulators, taking part in simulated crash.
He said: “The new helicopters are far quieter than the current craft and it will mean that the skies over Shropshire will be more peaceful in the future. With the new simulators there may also be less flights from the base.
“RAF Shawbury supports 1,800 jobs in Shropshire and is worth £20 million to the county’s economy. This new contract will secure RAF Shawbury’s future and retain its position as one of the top RAF bases in the UK.”
Mr Paterson was also shown the centre’s new buildings, and was given a tour of the School of Air Operations Control (SAOC), which not only trains Air Traffic Controllers for both the RAF and the Royal Navy but also trains Flight Operations Assistants and Flight Operations Officers.
Group Captain R S Norris, the Station Commander at RAF Shawbury said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP to RAF Shawbury and to explain how we currently deliver training and our exciting plans for the future.
“The investment in helicopter training in Shropshire is further confirmation by the Ministry of Defence that RAF Shawbury will remain one of the core RAF bases for years to come.
“I have highlighted to Mr Paterson that we are very grateful for the support of the local community in enabling us to deliver our task.”
