AWARD MEDALS LIMITED
At a time when identity is increasingly digital and fleeting, there is something profoundly grounding about choosing to wear your pride. It is a quiet declaration of who you are, where you come from, and what you stand for. At Award Medals, that belief sits at the heart of everything we create. Pride is not abstract to us, it is lived experience. As a company owned and managed by a UK military veteran, we understand the weight of service, the meaning behind every ribbon, and the deep respect carried in every emblem, garment, and keepsake.
Pride can be worn in many forms. For some, it is the unmistakable gleam of a medal that tells a story of commitment, courage, or achievement. For others, it is the comfort of a garment embroidered with a regimental badge, a club crest, or a symbol that connects them to a community larger than themselves. And for many, it is found in everyday objects that accompany life’s moments, glassware etched with insignia, personalised gifts that honour milestones, or commemorative pieces that keep memories alive.
These items are more than products. They are expressions of belonging. They are reminders of service, heritage, and shared identity. They are gifts that say, “I see you. I honour what you’ve done. I’m proud of who you are.”
In the military community especially, pride is woven into the fabric of daily life. It is present in the discipline of routine, the bonds forged between comrades, and the traditions passed from one generation to the next. That is why authenticity matters. When someone chooses to wear or gift something that represents their service, or the service of someone they love, they deserve to know it was created by people who understand that meaning firsthand.
At Award Medals Ltd, that understanding guides every decision we make. From the precision of our medal craftsmanship to the care taken in every embroidered stitch, we approach our work with the same values that shaped our time in uniform: integrity, respect, and attention to detail.
Nathan Lea Owner of Award Medals
ARIES TEAM
Editor: Sqn Ldr Mason
Deputy Editor: Flt Lt Vine
Assistant Editor: Mrs Bromwich
Aries Representatives:
HQ 1 FTS: Sgt Blackman
DCASO: WO Bell
CFS (H) Sqn: Flt Lt Jones
2 MAW: TBC
670 Sqn AAC: Capt Whyte
Sixty Sqn: Flt Lt Gray
ATCTS: Flt Lt O’Donnell
ABMTS: AS1 Morris
ASOTS: Cpl Arkle
TQS: FS Ford
BSS: Fg Off Pickett
FDS: Cpl Wright
Distribution: Central Registry
E&M Team
Front Cover Design: Mr Roberts, Graphics Officer
Photography: Mr Forshaw
Mr Thomas Mr Granger
Enquiries:
Email: SHY-AriesMagazine@mod.gov.uk
Tel: (mil) 95531 7177, 7572 or 7583
Tel: (civ) 01939 250351 7177, 7572 or 7583
Date of Next Edition:
Submissions for Edition 2 2026 to be received by 8 May 2026 to SHY-AriesMagazine@mod.gov.uk
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Editor’s Welcome
Welcome to the first Aries magazine for 2026.
This edition looks back to some of our activities at the tail end of 2025, including a round-up of our Christmas events. Although fast becoming a distant memory, Christmas is a really important time of year, as it gives the Station the opportunity to give something back to the communities of Shropshire and beyond who support us so fantastically over the whole year. We had record numbers attending our Christmas Carol Concert in St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury on 2 December and we were delighted to be able to showcase professional RAF Music with the Band of the RAF College in the county town. We equally had a record number of senior citizens attending the Officers’ Mess for a Christmas Lunch on 17 December. With 80 out of the 100 guests having a serving connection, it was a wonderful way to recognise our veteran community. Finally, a real highlight of the year is being able to fly Santa Claus into Princess Royal Hospital, Telford to meet the young patients, their
families and the amazing staff of the Shropshire Women’s and Children’s Ward.
We hope you enjoy the pictures and stories of these activities, as well as the other articles this edition has to offer. We have started a new feature called ‘Focus On’ which will look at different sections across RAF Shawbury, with the aim to explain a little more about who they are and what they do in support of the Station’s outputs. First up is the Engagement and Media Team, which is written by Flight Lieutenant Vine. One of our roles is to produce the Aries magazine four times a year and so we hope to be leading the way of these new features in an informative and interesting style. Please do let us know what you think and if there are any other feature ideas you would be keen to see in future editions. Happy reading.
Helicopter crew walking to their helicopter.
FOREWORD
By Wing Commander Chris Jacob MA BSc(Hons) PG Dip RAF – Officer Commanding Defence College of Air and Space Operations
Opening the first Aries of 2026, I want to reflect on a busy December that demonstrated not just DCASO’s momentum, but the strength of the entire RAF Shawbury community.
Despite the seasonal compression, the Station’s engagement, professionalism and generosity of spirit were unmistakable. Our teams enabled a programme of engagements, not as isolated events, but as a continuous expression of service and connection across Shropshire.
Along with the highlights of the Christmas Concert at St Chad’s, flying Santa by helicopter to the Princess Royal Hospital, and the Senior Citizens' & Veterans’ Christmas Lunch, various community facing activities helping charities and local groups brought generations together on Station and in the community. We also stood with the veteran community in moments of remembrance, including providing a Guard of Honour at RAF veteran Stanley Mellor’s funeral, a quiet, dignified duty carried out with respect and precision.
Meanwhile, the operational centre of gravity remained constant: training outputs continued at pace, with instructors, support staff and students alike balancing delivery with seasonal duties and family time. DCASO, specifically, leant into Op PROSPERITY at the RAF Museum Cosford, to inspire the next generation and showcase the breadth of roles within the Air & Space Operations Profession. Our team’s presence and energy were a credit to the College and the Station.
The same pace and purpose continued in the new year, with a series of high-profile visits and milestones demonstrating both the depth of our training enterprise and the professionalism of our people. Head of Flying Training visited, spending time with instructors, trainees, and support teams to understand the modernised training system, issues and the outputs being delivered. His engagement reinforced the trust placed
in Shawbury as a centre of excellence for rotary and Air Operations training. February marked the welcome return of the DCASO Mega Graduation, reviewed by Air Vice-Marshal Appleton, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group. Bringing together graduates, families, friends, and staff to celebrate the achievements of those stepping forward into operational roles, it was a fitting showcase of the Profession’s momentum. To close the DCASO 75th anniversary year, in early March, a Commemoration Service and the installation of the DCASO Heraldic Crest was held in the RAF Church of St Clement Danes, followed by a reception
at the RAF Club. It was an historic moment for the College and a dignified culmination to a landmark year.
What unites these vignettes and the success of RAF Shawbury is simple: its people. To everyone across the RAF Shawbury Whole Force community: thank you. Your professionalism, generosity and esprit de corps carried us through a demanding December and into 2026 with determination and grace. Transitioning into 2026, the busy pace endures, we continue to deliver with confidence and professionalism, proud of what we have achieved together, and ready for what’s to come.
Community Christmas Round Up
We hope you enjoy our selection of photographs capturing Christmas 2025 activities across Shropshire.
Christmas Carol Concert
We had over 850 people gathered in St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, on Tuesday 2 December. This was our third year of hosting a Christmas Carol Concert in this wonderful setting.
Performances by the Band of the Royal Air Force College, St Mary’s Primary School Choir, the Spitfires Choir, RAF Cosford’s Pipe Major and our own soloist Squadron Leader Smailes, made a wonderful evening of music, carols and readings at the start of the Advent period.
Santa
Present Drop
On 16 December, No.1 Flying Training School gave Santa a lift in one of their Juno helicopters so that he could flypast local schools on his way to visiting the Shropshire Women’s and Children’s Ward at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. Being able to give presents to children who will be in hospital over Christmas, whilst spreading some good cheer amongst their families and the dedicated staff who work on the Ward, is one of the highlights of the year for everyone on Station who is involved.
The Royal Air Force College Band
St Mary’s School Choir
The Spitfire’s Choir
Santa with the Shawbury and Hospital teams
Santa taking time to meet Shropshire Children’s Ward staff
Santa arriving at Princess Royal Hospital, Telford
Santa Run
On a cold and increasingly wet winters morning on 17 December, over 30 members of the RAF Shawbury community gathered together for the annual Santa Run in support of charity. The Station Commander kindly started the crowd running with a ‘Merry Christmas’. The Station RAFA team, led by Master Aircrewman Hunt, had prepared a 1km lap route, supplied close fitting Santa suits for some and ensured there was a nice hot cuppa for everyone upon completion.
Thank you to the team and all the runners who paid their entry fees, helping the station raise monies for RAFA.
Officers’ Mess for the Senior Citizens' Christmas Lunch
And then in the afternoon on 17 December we welcomed 96 senior citizens to the Officers’ Mess for the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Lunch. Veterans from all three services were amongst our guests and 80% of the Shawbury village senior citizens who attended have previous Whole Force service experience. The lunch is kindly funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund under their Op Christmas campaign.
Christmas Tree Festival and Shoe Box Appeal
And finally, during a busy December, Shawbury Airplay Youth Project took part in the local Christmas Tree Festival at St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury. The theme for our tree was ‘Kindness’ and
the young people made decorations and invited all who came to see the trees to leave their own message of kindness for Christmas on the tree.
We also collected donations for the Teams4u annual shoebox appeal to
be sent to underprivileged children across the world to bring some festive cheer. Airplay staff member Jennie Whitington co-ordinated the collection for the Youth Club and also on behalf of the RAF Shawbury Tots group and Shawbury Military Wives Choir.
A rapid and busy serving schedule
The start of the Santa Run
A full Officers’ Mess Dining Room
Trainee serving at the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Lunch
Shawbury Airplay’s decorated Christmas Tree in St Chad’s Church
Shawbury Airplay’s Teams4u Shoe Box Appeal
RAF Shawbury’s Airfield Renovation
From mid-2024 until the end of 2025, Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure completed an 18-month renovation of RAF Shawbury’s airfield. The project involved the re-surfacing of both runways, all operating surfaces and four hangar floors; as well as associated new drainage, lighting and signage.
On the formal handing back of the airfield to RAF Shawbury on 17 December, the Station Commander, Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, said: "This has been a major project which ensures the Station has modern and robust operating surfaces into the future. We continued to deliver helicopter aircrew training for UK Defence throughout the renovation. This was enabled through the excellent working relationship and collaboration
Pictured above:
The airfield being handed back to the Station
BMX Creator Showdown at RAF Shawbury
RAF Shawbury was excited to host the forthcoming Creator Showdown at the beginning of December, as part of our continuing partnership with British Cycling.
Eight Team GB BMX freestyle team members, including Jude Jones, who had just been crowned World Champion at Sakai, were partnered with eight top sports content creators to face fearsome challenges on the world class BMX track housed at RAF Shawbury.
RAF Shawbury ran its own challenge on our High Ropes and put the athletes and creators through their paces on our electronic firing range and leadership exercises. Dedication, overcoming challenges and striving for excellence are all common features between
serving in the military and achieving success as an elite athlete. This is why we value our partnership with British Cycling so highly.
The Creator Showdown programmes can be seen on YouTube, so why not take a look? Meanwhile here’s the list of athletes and content creators who took part.
Pro Riders – Kaine Mitchell, Miller Temple, Reece Dabero, Jude Jones, Charlotte Worthington, Sasha Pardoe, Elsa Rendall Todd, Holly Pipe.
Creators – Luke Nuttall, Mac Griffiths, Dan Webz, Karam Singh, Harriet Pavlou, Sam Miller, Stefani Nurding, Kaljit Atwal.
Host – Tom McGowan.
RAF Shawbury PTIs demonstrating the High Rope challenge
The athletes and riders putting theory into practice
British Cycling athletes and Creators eye up the ramps
Time to take on the electronic firing range
Britannia Royal Naval College Visit
In October, during their Advanced Maritime Course, four Royal Navy trainees flew from RAF Shawbury to Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth. The aim was to conduct a navigation exercise, at medium and low level, and to test their communication skills through a controlled airspace crossing.
The two crews departed Shawbury taking different routes, with the first routing via the Wye Valley and the second opting for a more easterly track over Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Along the route, the instructors put the trainees to the test, with unexpected diversions to farm strips and helicopter landing sites, requiring rapid replanning with the rearcrew.
BRNC is towards the limit of the Juno’s endurance and so a refuel was planned at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, before heading southwest to arrive at BRNC via a low-level transit along the River Dart. The landing at BRNC required a confined areas technique, with the rearcrew thoroughly recc’ing the area and directing the pilots to precisely position the two helicopters at either end of the Parade Ground.
Following a quick lunch in the Wardroom, the trainees delivered a presentation to Phase One Officer Cadets, several of whom will be joining
the Fleet Air Arm very soon. The Officer Cadets enjoyed the opportunity to look around the two Junos and ask the trainees about their experiences of flying training.
Upon departing Dartmouth, the trainees reversed routes with the western route requiring a cross of Bristol’s controlled airspace, passing above the airliners landing below, before joining Gloucester Airport for a refuel. The eastern route required fuel at Yeovilton, a cross of Brize Norton’s airspace and a low-level transit over the
to arrive back at Shawbury. The exercise tested a combination of the skills developed through the Advanced Maritime Course, including captaincy, navigation, emergency handling and low flying. The course prepares the trainees for their future roles as maritime aviators operating the Wildcat HMA2 and the Merlin Mk2 from Royal Navy vessels.
Cotswolds
A Juno on the Britannia Royal Naval College Parade Ground
Refuelling stop
Safely arrived at Britannia Royal Naval College
Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Deutsches Heer and Luftwaffe graduates with the Reviewing Officer
Graduation
Personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Deutsches Heer and Luftwaffe who graduated on 12 December from No. 1 Flying Training School. The Reviewing Officer was Air Vice Marshal Sharrocks OBE MA RAF, Air Officer Commanding 22 Group.
Uniting communities through music and helping every child reach their full potential.
Our charity is founded on a simple belief: music has the power to bring people together, inspire young minds, and uplift entire communities. Through our festivals, we raise vital funds that give local children aged 7 to 11 the chance to discover the joy of music—opportunities many would not otherwise have. With the passion of our volunteers and supporters, we nurture creativity, build confidence, and spark a lifelong love of music in every child we reach.
What do we do?
We organise music festivals across North Hampshire to fund musical education in primary schools, working closely with Hampshire Music Services. To date, the Winchfield Festival has supported more than 7,500 children—but there is so much more we can do.
Based in the village of Winchfield near Hook, our festivals are about more than music. They bring people together to enjoy great performances, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages. In June 2026, we’ll host ten days of music in many styles, creating wonderful summer evenings for the whole community.
The Winchfield Festival is about having fun while doing good. Join us and help transform young lives through music.
Elton John Queen Take That Le Freak/ Nile Rogers, Blues Brothers
Docklands Orchestra Proms Stuart Ellam – Piano Concert
DCASO NEWS
Recent Graduations
The Defence College of Air and Space Operations has been very busy recently, resulting in the graduation of several courses.
Flight Operations Training Course 9 (FOTC)
Flight Operations Training Course 9 (FOTC) graduated on 21 Nov 25. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant DCASO and No. 1FTS Group Captain Jordan MA BSc (Hons) cfs tp RAF.
The Mulvihill Trophy winner was Flying Officer Alexander.
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course (ASOSC) 27 MOD 4
27 MOD 4 with the
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course (ASOSC) 27 MOD 4 graduated on 2 December. The Reviewing Officer was Officer Commanding Training Quality Squadron, Lieutenant Commander Ross.
The Daren Hucknall Trophy was won by Air Specialist 2 Downes.
The AJ Carter Trophy was won by Air Specialist 2 Coombes.
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course 27 MOD 2-3
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course 27 MOD 2-3 graduated on 11 December. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant DCASO and No. 1FTS Group Captain Jordan MA BSc (Hons) cfs tp RAF.
The Salesian Trophy was won by Air Specialist 2 Vincent.
Joint Air Traffic Control Course 469 (JATCC)
Joint Air Traffic Control Course 469 (JATCC) graduated on 18 December. The Reviewing Officer was Wing Commander Jacob MA BSc (Hons) PGDip RAF, Officer Commanding DCASO.
The Marshall Trophy winner was Sub Lieutenant Farmer.
The Bunting Trophy winner was Flying Officer Gajadharsingh.
The Alenia Marconi Systems Trophy winner was Flying Officer Bowden.
(FOTC) 9 with the Reviewing Officer
ASOSC)
Reviewing Officer
(ASOSC) 27 MOD 2-3 with the Reviewing Officer
JATCC 469 with the Reviewing Officer
Weapons Foundation Course (WFC) 25-3
Weapons Foundation Course (WFC) 25-3 graduated on 18 December. The Reviewing Officer was Wing Commander Jacob MA BSc (Hons) PGDip RAF, Officer Commanding DCASO.
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course (ASOSC) 28 MOD 4
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course (ASOSC) 28 MOD 4 graduated on 21 January. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant DCASO and No.1 Flying Training School, Group Captain Jordan MA BSc (Hons) cfs tp RAF.
Surveillance Foundation Course (SFC) 25-4
Surveillance Foundation Course (SFC) 25-4 who graduated from the Defence College of Air and Space Operations (DCASO) on 23 January. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant DCASO and No.1 Flying Training School, Group Captain Jordan MA BSc (Hons) cfs tp RAF.
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course 28 MOD 2-3
Air and Space Operations Specialist Course 28 MOD 2-3 graduated on 30 January. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant DCASO and No.1 Flying Training School, Group Captain Jordan MA BSc (Hons) cfs tp RAF.
WFC 25-3 with the Reviewing Officer
Pictured right: ASOSC 28 MOD 4 with the Reviewing Officer
SFC 25-4 with the Reviewing Officer
Pictured left: ASOSC 28 MOD 2-3 with the Reviewing Officer
Weapons Foundation Course 24-4 – MOD Main Building Visit
On 21 January, Weapons Foundation Course 24-4, travelled to Whitehall, London to conduct a Force Development Day at MOD Main Building. The headquarters brings together civilian Ministry of Defence and the senior military leadership, including the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force, along with joint and corporate functions.
The purpose of the trip was to increase Junior Officer, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ breadth of perspective by gaining exposure to significant Combat Air capability programmes at strategic levels of command. For some attendees, it was their first experience away from an RAF flying station, providing an insight into an alternative type of posting for future consideration, away from our front-line job we are currently in training for.
We began our day by visiting Henry VIII Wine Cellar, situated underneath MOD Main Building, which is one of the few surviving elements of York Place, once the London residence of Cardinal Wolsey and later associated with Henry VIII. The contrast between the cellar’s age and its position beneath a modern government building was particularly striking. The cellar was not
originally underground, however in the 1940s, during major redevelopment of Whitehall, the structure was carefully retained, whilst it was shifted 19 metres lower. The cellar was saved from demolition due to public outcry when architect’s plans were revealed, leading people to believe it would be demolished. We were extremely grateful to be able to visit this fascinating piece of history that is not open for public admission.
Throughout the day, we were hosted by Group Captain Osselton, Deputy Programme Director- Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS), who took us on a brief tour of the building after finishing our trip to the wine cellar. We learnt about the structure and layout of the building, with a brief walk past senior leadership and ministerial offices, spotting Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, on our route.
understanding on the direct effect MSHQ has on our ability to project airpower.
We then were greeted by Wing Commander Williams, who kindly gave us a brief focussed on Main Service Headquarters (MSHQ). We discussed how the headquarters acts as the bridge between political direction and military delivery, and how decisions made at MSHQ directly turn strategy into real world effect. The headquarters works with Air Command to determine our readiness and our state of resourcing, balancing current operations against future capabilities and plans. This was incredibly insightful and really deepened our
We then moved on to learn about FCAS, and its role in delivering world leading next generation combat air capabilities and skills, including Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). FCAS directorate will ensure that the UK remains an innovation superpower with ground-breaking technology at the forefront of areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, data management, software and next generation weapons. Among these capabilities is a next-generation fighter jet that is being delivered by GCAP- a trilateral collaboration between the UK, Japan and Italy.
We finished the afternoon, drawing on the Group Captain’s previous role as Head of Attack/ISR at Air Command, as he took us through the journey that the E7-Wedgetail has been on so far, in its introduction to service. It was great to understand more about the necessity for the aircraft in our NATO commitment, after suffering the loss of the E3-Sentry from service a few years ago. We looked at the production journey and its challenges, and how we have adapted to the changes that were led by government decisions. As prospective Weapons Controllers, this is an important capability that we may work on later in our career.
MOD Main Building
Henry VIII Wine Cellar
Central Flying School (Helicopter) Graduation
Number 403 Qualified Helicopter Instructor and Qualified Helicopter Crew Instructor Course are the latest graduates from the Central Flying
School (Helicopter) Squadron at RAF Shawbury. The Reviewing Officer was Commandant Central Flying School, Group Captain Dave Flynn MA BSc cfs
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RAF. The graduates will now go on to instruct at Flying Schools or front-line conversion units.
Fostering a Stable Environment for Armed Forces Children
Boarding at Adcote School provides a vibrant and welcoming ‘home from home’ for girls aged eight to eighteen. We have extensive experience in caring for the needs of children whose parents may need to move frequently, meaning we are a popular choice for families serving in the Armed Forces.
We understand deployment can sometimes happen at short notice and often overseas, and our Forces families rely on our ability to offer their children the stability they crave, in a nurturing and consistent environment. Under the caring guidance of our dedicated Heads of Boarding and their experienced teams, girls are provided with continuity of care that promotes independence and self-confidence, enabling them to focus their energy where children should - on fun-filled activities that banish boredom and forge lasting friendships. From cosy evenings to exciting events, every moment is designed to foster growth and happiness for the girls in our care, whilst supporting their academic development.
Forces life can be full of uncertainty, for serving parents and especially for their children. Our Armed Forces Bursary can be combined with the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to provide an affordable stable environment that helps make life feel a little less scary. Less fear, more fun. Less unknown, more home.
Visit by Ascent Managing Director
The new Managing Director of Ascent has visited RAF Shawbury. She was accompanied by Commodore Jose, Head of Military Flying Training System (MFTS) Delivery Team and SO1 Rotary Wing, Lieutenant Colonel Wilkinson, to gain an insight into how No.1 Flying Training School (FTS) trains helicopter pilots and rearcrew for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Group Captain Mike Jordan, Commandant of No.1 FTS said: “We were delighted to welcome Chloe Barker and Commodore Jose to RAF Shawbury. Through a number of very fruitful discussions, we discussed not only how No.1 FTS and RAF Shawbury operate but also where there are opportunities to further develop our training and lived experience. We very much look forward to building on the already very strong working relationship with Ascent under Mrs Barker’s leadership, and to working within the UK MFTS.”
Meet Ascent’s RAF Shawbury General Manager
Lesley Still has been Ascent’s General Manager Rotary Wing at RAF Shawbury since June 2025. Here she tells us a bit about herself and her work with the UK’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).
I am often asked at interviews where did my journey start. Well, if Disney started with a mouse, this kid started when she was six years old. Resplendent in my furry anorak and my shiny Start Rite shoes, I was taken on a school trip to Aberdeen Airport. We were allowed to board and walk through a British Airways aircraft, whilst the passengers smiled at us bright-eyed wee people filing through the cabin.
That moment for me was magical. I still remember it vividly and I decided there and then that aviation was what I wanted to do when I grew up. On leaving school, I wrote to all the airlines to ask for a job, no internet or email in those days! Fast forward several decades later, and I still retain the same enthusiasm for aviation and a passion for travel. I haven’t been everywhere yet …but it’s on my list.
My early career focused on ground operations, with periods of planning,
crew rostering, licenced aircraft dispatcher with BA for several years, before moving into management roles. A rather random approach from Scottish Rocket company Orbex saw me pivot in 2023 to the Space Industry as Chief of Spaceport Operations – I knew there was a risk in joining an R&D company, and whilst it ended in redundancy, I have no regrets.
My Ascent journey has been an exceedingly fast near six months and I have been impressed both by the team and the facilities we have here. RAF Shawbury is the biggest UKMFTS base in terms of activity, throughput and size of fleet, and the General Manager Rotary Wing also has responsibility for 202 Squadron at RAF Valley, which is always a pleasure to visit.
I have been lucky to inherit a quality
team that cares about delivering the best possible training for our trainees. I also have been very fortunate to have a Commandant who truly wishes to create a collegiate team with one voice. The support upstream with the Delivery Team and Air Officer Commanding has also been second to none, and the engagement has been positive and collaborative, with a wish on both sides to be open and transparent.
We have all the elements at RAF Shawbury to make a great team even greater. Ascent has recently completed a structural re-organisation of its Ops/ Scheduling Team, building on an aspect of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review report which expressed a wish for Civilian Standards to be adopted where possible.
The new team mirrors civil aviation operations with hybrid Ops/Planners, which is also the case at our other UKMFTS sites at RNAS Culdrose and RAF Valley. Always with an eye for improvement, the 1FTS Commandant and I are aligned as to the next tranche of CIP – more to follow soon. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge, the location but most of all the people at RAF Shawbury. We don’t delineate between whose ID card we wear – we are No.1 FTS and RAF Shawbury.
Getting a close up view of a Juno helicopter
Lesley Still
Chloe Barker with Lieutenant Colonel Wilkinson, Commodore Jose and Group Captain Jordan.
FORCE DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Stay fit in 2026 with the Physical Education Flight
What we offer - The Physical Education Flight (PEd Flt) plays a vital role in developing wellbeing, fitness, resilience and camaraderie across Station. Delivering diverse and educational sessions to Phase 2 & 3 trainees, the team also provides an inclusive programme of activities open to all gym members.
Programme - Weekly sessions are designed to fit around the working day and cater to all abilities. These include high-energy station circuits on Monday and Wednesday evenings, lunchtime circuits on Tuesday and Thursday, and an early-morning yoga session every Wednesday – perfect for starting the day focused and refreshed.
Alongside the regular programme, the PEd Flt strives to invest in skill development and variety. Corporal Briggs will be delivering a dedicated lifting workshop, offering the opportunity to refine technique through focused, one to one coaching. In addition, Corporal Oreshko will be running a spin class for those looking to have fun but wanting to challenge themselves.
CO’s Cup - A highlight of the PEd Flt’s calendar, the Commanding Officer’s Cup (CO’s Cup) is a Station-wide competition designed to boost morale, encourage teamwork and add some friendly rivalry into the working week. Teams of six from across the Station compete head-to-head in a series of four sporting events held throughout the year, earning points as they take on other sections. More than just a sporting contest, the CO’s Cup offers personnel a welcome break from their desks, providing an afternoon of fun, teamwork and competitive sport. The first event of the year in February was Volleyball, setting the tone for
Feb Volleyball
May Touch Rugby
Aug Rounders
Nov Sports Day
an exciting programme of quarterly competitions.
Wellbeing - The PEd Flt have three instructors qualified in Pre-Post Natal, enabling tailored fitness support for service personnel during and after pregnancy. If you are wishing to seek more advice on this then please contact Corporal Wright or Briggs. To support wellbeing and mental health, we have a Mindfulness Room in Jubilee Hall. It creates a safe, relaxing environment for individuals to have some time alone or reflect on their busy day.
In addition to the core programme, the PEd Flt continues to deliver wider initiatives that support health, wellbeing and personal development. One highlight was the Health and Wellbeing Fair, which proved a great success in September 25. The event brought together local businesses, universities and a range of sporting organisations, giving personnel access to valuable advice, opportunities and resources.
Adventurous Training - Looking further afield, the PEd Flt led a Ski Expedition in February to Tignes, France, with 28 personnel taking part. The expedition offered a unique opportunity to develop resilience, teamwork and confidence in a challenging alpine environment, while also providing a rewarding and memorable experience for those involved.
There will be a multi-activity Adventurous Training trip to the Dolomites in July, so look out for how to get involved.
The High Ropes Course in the Roland Wycherley Hangar is back up and running for personnel to increase mental resilience, teamwork and morale.
Sport - There are many opportunities to get involved with sport, including purchasing discounted Hawkstone Park golf tickets, discounted Alderford Lake entries for open water swimming and hiring out a road bike to give cycling a go.
There is a new RAF Shawbury Sports club page on PEd SharePoint so keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities.
Shooting a hoop
Agility in the gym
Spin bikes
Drone Awareness
The use of remotely controlled air vehicles or drones is becoming much more common in UK airspace and frequently makes news headlines when drones are flown illegally or with malevolent intent. Unfortunately, many people who are innocently flying their drones are not aware of the legal requirements.
The rules regarding flying drones and model aircraft changed in the UK on 1 January 2026. You must have Flyer ID if your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g or more and an Operator ID if it weighs 100g or more and has a camera. Full details are on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website:
https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/getting-started-with-drones-andmodel-aircraft/drone-code/
Military and civil airfields are protected by Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) and you must have permission before flying in an FRZ:
https://nats-uk.ead-it.com/cms-nats/opencms/en/uas-restrictionzones/#Dronesafe_Map
SAFETY NEWS
You do not need permission to fly a drone in most of the airspace above Shropshire, but if you intend to, we would really appreciate being informed so that we can warn our crews. But what kind of airspace in Shropshire does require specific permission before a drone flight can be allowed? Airfields are surrounded by an FRZ and the associated Runway Protection Zones (RPZs) if there is a runway. The FRZ is a circle around the airfield that measures 2 nautical miles (3.7kms) in radius. An RPZ is a rectangle that measures 5kms in length from the end of the runway and 500m either side of the centreline. Both FRZs and RPZs extend up to 2000ft above the ground.
RAF Shawbury manages three FRZs: RAF Shawbury, Tern Hill, and Chetwynd. If you would like to fly within these FRZs you will need to seek permission from our Station Operations on 01939 250351 ext 7163 or email SHY-Ops@ mod.gov.uk
You may be asked to complete our Drone Notification Form, which is available on our website. The same form can also be used for notifying us of any drone flight in our Low Flying Area.
You are more likely to receive permission if your requested flight time is outside of our standard operating hours of 0845 – 1715 Monday – Friday, but each request is looked at on a case-by-case basis and we frequently fly at night. With compromise, such as limiting the height, we should be able to issue permission. However, there are rare occasions where we would not be able to provide permission due to safety concerns.
See the Drone Safety section in the Flying Information part of our website for information and advice local to RAF Shawbury flying operations:
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-shawbury/flying-info/
Flight Restriction Zones in Low Flying Area 9.
The Engagement and Media Team
RAF Shawbury is well known for training Helicopter Crews and Air Operations personnel, as this training has been conducted for coming up to 50 and over 75 years respectively. But what about the activities that support this training and the life of RAF Shawbury? This first ‘Focus On’ article kicks-off with the Engagement and Media Team.
The Engagement and Media Team consists of two Reserve Officers and a Civil Servant. There is no set structure for this type of team across the RAF as it very much depends on the role and requirement of the Unit. Our team has a wealth of Service experience and wider Service life both at Shawbury and wider Defence.
The role is basically to promote RAF Shawbury, the activities and our place in the wider community. Our training is vital for UK Defence and therefore it is important, particularly for flying training, that we have the freedom to operate in Low Flying Area 9 that covers Shropshire. This comes from the understanding, including wherever possible the support, of the local community.
How do we engage? Well, this magazine Aries for a start, we gather in and edit articles and supporting images as well as writing articles covering events that have happened on the Station. We also manage the social media channels, utilising Facebook, X and more recently Instagram to reach an audience beyond Shropshire with a combined following of almost 30,000. Social media is used to highlight and report some of our activities and achievements, advise when there will be night flying or unusual activity and a window to our safety campaigns.
For over ten years we have provided free high visibility kit including tabards and quarter sheets to the equestrian community within Low Flying Area 9, as part of our Be Seen Be Safer campaign. This campaign, endorsed by the British Horse Society, promotes the wearing of high visibility by horse riders, which
Interview for BBC Midlands at the Santa Drop
makes it easier for our pilots to see and avoid them when low flying. Working closely with our Air Safety Team we also regularly post about Drone Awareness. Drones are becoming increasingly common in our skies and for the safety of all airspace users it is important that drone flyers understand the legislation and Civil Aviation Authority guidance. By managing representatives on the Parish Councils that border our airfields we have personal contacts that can advise on our activities or respond to concerns. These contacts are also a great conduit for community project
requests. Many of our trainees will do a community project while at Shawbury and we bring together courses and likely projects. There are 180 Town and Parish Councils in Shropshire, we provide a twice-yearly update through the Shropshire Association of Local Councils, keeping them up-to-date with our flying activities and complaint management.
Working with media organisations is one of the more exciting elements of our role and in the last year we have cooperated with BBC Midlands,
BBC Radio Shropshire, British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) and independent media organisations. Collaboration in the exciting Creator Games which saw us support British Cycling as their BMX Riders took on social media Creators in a series of BMX and military challenges – look out for it on YouTube. One of these collaborations saw us literally ‘all at sea’ during filming of 202 Squadron (which is part of No. 1 Flying Training School) Jupiter operations, including winch training with the Boskalis Smit Don vessel out of Holyhead.
As well as organising our Christmas Concert, held at St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury, we also provide guidance and continuity to the committees that organise significant Station events. Not least the annual Landowners’ and Rider Awareness Day which ties together the support of our community and the safety of horse riders. So, in promoting the world-class training and amazing people at Shawbury through meaningful engagement, we are lucky to have a varied and interesting job.
The team is contactable atSHY-EngagementMediaTeam@ modgovuk.onmicrosoft.com
The Engagement and Media Team
Creator Games filming with Force Protection Flight
The Shawbury Military Wives Choir is 14!
By the time this is published, we will have celebrated our 14th Birthday. We have achieved so much in that time. It seems like 5 minutes ago we were tentatively asking around to see if anyone would like to be involved!
We have several ladies that have been in the choir since its inception, have welcomed some lovely new ladies from other choirs due to postings, ladies who have family in the military, and those whose partners are veterans. We don’t currently have any serving ladies in the choir and would love to welcome you if you fancy having a go.
We have had a fun year as always, with some lovely local events. We enjoyed singing with Wem band in the summer and were involved in a moving Remembrance event with the Royal British Legion in Ellesmere. We also joined in with the Christmas Festivities at Blists Hill, although this time we didn’t get snow! We had a stand at Families Day and enjoyed talking about our choir, and its benefits. Some of our choir ladies took part in the 80th anniversary of VE Day commemorations at Manchester Piccadilly. It was a poignant occasion that we were proud to be a part of.
A particular highlight was being invited to the Officers’ Mess Christmas Draw, to sing Christmas songs as guests arrived. Everyone agreed it was a lovely atmosphere and was enjoyed by all.
If you would like to enquire about booking the choir, please contact us on Shawbury@ militarywiveschoirs.org
There are no auditions needed to join our choir, if you have a military connection, and can sing, or would like to try, we can provide all the support you need. There is no requirement to be able to read music, we learn by ear, and have access to brilliant practice tracks to listen to. There is no pressure to perform either, you can come along to rehearsals and choose when you are ready to do events.
We will be having a new member day
on the 18 March. Please pop along to see what we get up to. We can answer any questions you may have about being a member of the choir, you can see how it works and eat cake! There is no pressure at all to join, just see if you fancy it!
The choir motto is Sing, Share, Support Singing in a choir has been proven to increase wellbeing and improve mental and physical health. Military Wives Choirs gives its members the opportunity to spend time with women that truly understand the challenges associated with military life.
If you are thinking about popping along or would like more information, please get in touch on the email above.
80th anniversary of VE Day commemorations at Manchester Piccadilly
Members of the Choir at Families Day
Officers Mess Christmas Draw.
Another Successful Craft Evening at RAF Shawbury
RAF Shawbury recently hosted another fantastic craft evening at the Community Centre, where participants came together to create beautiful Christmas wreaths. We welcomed families, Service personnel, and members of the wider community into a warm and friendly environment that encouraged creativity and connection.
The evening was hosted by SSAFA worker Jane Feek and supported by Community Development Officer (CDO) Gail Moore and her team, who provided sponsorship and assistance to make the event a success. These craft sessions have proven to be extremely popular, promoting good morale and highlighting the strength of community spirit at RAF Shawbury. What makes these evenings truly special is the sense of togetherness they create. Families and Service personnel worked side by side, sharing ideas and laughter, and building friendships that extend beyond the event itself. It’s a reminder that RAF
Shawbury is more than just a Station, it’s a vibrant community where people support and celebrate one another. Over the past year, Jayne has hosted three other successful workshops,
including Easter-themed crafts and a creative evening making coasters from tiles. Each event has drawn enthusiastic participation, and there is already strong demand for more craft evenings in the future.
Jayne shared her excitement about the growing interest:
“It’s wonderful to see how these sessions bring people together. They’re not just about making crafts—they’re about building friendships and celebrating life at RAF Shawbury.”
The team is always looking for new ideas, so suggestions from the community are welcome. Plans are already underway for more events in 2026, continuing the tradition of creativity, connection, and celebration at RAF Shawbury.
To Advertise in this publication please contact Darren Greenhead on 01536 680 414 or email darren@lancemediagroup.co.uk
Hard at work
Our finished Christmas wreaths
CHARITY NEWS
The football shirt charity based is celebrating yet another record-breaking year as it approaches its 20-year anniversary.
The Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal operates from Royal Air Force Shawbury and collects donations of football shirts and sports kit for re-distribution to less privileged adults and children all across the globe. In 2025 the appeal distributed approximately 12000 football shirts and nearly 28000 other pieces of kit (approximately 40000 total items) to countries worldwide including Kenya, Nepal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana amongst a total of 20 countries reached.
The appeal began in 2006 and continues to grow, delivering kit to 71 different countries to date, with full totals now at 443381 items, including 125598 shirts. Clubs, schools and individuals from across the United Kingdom have assisted in ensuring the success by continuously donating large
Links:
Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal - TFTAAB Lottie’s Way – The Charlotte Hope Foundation - Lottie’s Way
amounts of kit. Major donations in 2025 included Aston Villa, The FA (England), Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal, Worcestershire FA, Wallsend Boys club, Kidderminster Harriers and many others.
The appeal, run by Squadron Leader Mark Smales and Wing Commander (Retd) Neil Hope MBE, relies on the goodwill and help of many people in the UK and across the world, especially in Kenya (BATUK and Braeburn Garden Estate School) and Nepal (The Gurkha Welfare Trust).
In January 2024, the appeal assisted in the creation of Lottie’s Way – The Charlotte Hope Foundation. The Foundation, in memory of Neil’s 19-year-old daughter, aims to raise funds in Lottie’s name that will be allocated to organisations assisting in ensuring education and feeding of less privileged children worldwide.
Neil said, “I am extremely proud to see the success of the appeal over so many years. Our links to Lottie’s Way allow us to celebrate Charlotte’s short life, which was cruelly taken from us by a drug driver, due her links to the appeal, something she tirelessly assisted with, and to her efforts in volunteering in Kenya. Hopefully the continued efforts of both the Appeal and the Charity will help so many others. We enjoyed a hugely successful Nepal delivery trip in 2025 and will shortly embark on a Kenya delivery trip with a group of 16 people.”
For further information or to get involved please get in touch with Mark or Neil.
Sorting Kit
Visit to Annapurna in Nepal
Teams 4U Charity Shoeboxes Appeal
Shortly before Christmas some 20 Shoeboxes, which were filled by RAF Shawbury personnel and families, were dropped off with the Teams 4U Charity Shoeboxes Appeal.
This is a nationwide shoebox appeal which aims to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and families worldwide. The charity estimated that over 60,000 shoeboxes would be distributed across the world, with the boxes we provided likely going
to spread some Christmas cheer in Belarus.
The charity also has strong links with the Shawbury based Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal – it was through this link that the Station became involved in the shoebox appeal. Thanks must go to Flight Sergeant Bowyer from Personnel and Families Support who has driven a lot of the engagement and encouraged people to donate boxes.
Teams 4U facility
Squadron Leader Smales handing over one of the Shawbury boxes to founder of the Teams 4U charity Dave Cooke
Link for more information - Teams4u
RAF Shawbury Gliding Club (RSGC) is Up There
December marked the 5th Anniversary of the Club’s arrival at RAF Shawbury. Can we take this opportunity to thank all those who made their move possible and for the on-going support received from all RAF Shawbury staff.
Despite the challenges of operating off the grassed areas at Shawbury it’s been another good year for RSGC with over 100 students having completed our RAF Central Fund sponsored Mechanics Endowment Fund (MEF) Gliding Bursary Programme. We’re now back on the
Climbing through 2,000ft in Wave conditions, Flying Officer Jones is with instructor Will Dean Wave. Overhead Shawbury we regularly fly in Wave and have attained 10,000ft, the limit without Oxygen. It’s very cold!
new hard surfaces and aim to ramp up the flying schedule to meet the everincreasing demand from those who want to fly with the club.
So, what do we do on non-flying days? Whilst we can’t emulate the groundbased training available to helicopter students at RAF Shawbury, we do have our own desk top simulator. With excellent mapping of the whole of the UK, it is invaluable in building fundamental flight skills at all stages of training. We can also provide students with exposure to different aircraft types, particularly valuable as they progress from solo in the 2-seat training aircraft to their first flight in a club single seater. If you are in Phase 1 or 2 training at
RAF Shawbury, for a £30 membership fee you can experience the cheapest way to get real hands-on flying. Further details and an application form are on the club website at https://www. rafshawburygc.co.uk/mef-bursary and the club also welcome the whole service community with membership open to Service Personnel and their families, MOD Civilians and Defence partners.
Contact Flt Lt Ben Braddick Benjamin.Braddick337@mod. gov.uk or Ian Gallacher ian. gallacher375@mod.gov.uk both of whom will be delighted to answer your questions. Also available on MODNet or Teams.
GLIDING CLUB NEWS
Waiting to Launch. Flying Officer Thompson is with instructor and veteran Geoff Matthews
Simulator time and Air Recruit Shihab and Air Recruit Hall practice centring in a thermal on the club desktop simulator. A planned upgrade will see the club equipped with a 2-seat cockpit-based simulator
Celebrating our 5th Anniversary with CFI and veteran Ian Gallacher flying into RAF Shawbury from RAF Cosford in December 2024
Above: Instructor Laura Martin runs through pre-flight checks with Junior Member Elizabeth Donoghue who is a cadet at 28 (Shawbury) Squadron. Dad Clive is an RAF Shawbury based helicopter instructor with Ascent.
SPORTS AND FITNESS NEWS
Shawbury United Visit
Shawbury United Football Club (SUFC) visited RAF Shawbury with 12 players, Team Physio, Manager, and 1st Team Coach as part of a community engagement event.
The relationship between SUFC and the Station continues to strengthen as the RAF U23’s recently played SUFC. The 1st Team was treated to a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) led fitness session. This included team building, a warm-up, HIIT, strength, conditioning, and mobility. The team building activities having quelled any nerves, the team really applied themselves to each part of the session and each player could walk away proud of the efforts they had put in. Relations were built and strengthened during the oneand-a-half-hour session with expert knowledge delivered to and from all staff and players.
The Manager and 1st Team Coach were very impressed with the professionalism, knowledge and
delivery throughout the session and thoroughly enjoyed the visit, with hope of further opportunities in the future.
The new Team’s Physio took a lot of benefit from seeing the players being put through their paces and took time to engage with Corporal Pugh and an injured player. They took the player to one side to deliver tailored exercises and a programme for recovery to
ensure they could quickly return to playing. With a full understanding of the session’s intent, she was very thankful to the staff and enjoyed her time at RAF Shawbury.
The players, a little weary at the end of the session, thanked the staff and commented how professional and knowledgeable they were. A very successful event that benefited all. The PTI staff were impressed with the energy and effort of the team. The session provided a Continuing Professional Development opportunity for the PTIs who could implement their extracurricular interests into the session.
Sergeant Fairhurst said, “The Physical Education Flight were pleased to host a visit for Shawbury United to develop their teamwork, resilience, and physical robustness. The players put in a fantastic effort across the session. Hopefully, this connection with Shawbury United will endure with this community engagement.”
Weary but happy
Keep pushing
The effort is ramping up
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Hazles Farm Childcare: 26 Years of Trusted Care in a Unique Rural Setting
For families seeking high-quality childcare rooted in experience, trust, and a love of the outdoors, Hazles Farm Childcare, located on Hazles Road, Shawbury, SY4 4HE, has been a valued part of the local community for over a quarter of a century. Established in 1999, we are proud to be celebrating 26 years of supporting children and families with care that is both nurturing and inspiring.
Set within a beautiful rural setting, Hazles Farm Childcare offers children the opportunity to learn and grow surrounded by nature. Outdoor learning is a central part of our ethos, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a strong connection with the natural world. Each room has its own secure garden, complete with sheltered areas so children can enjoy outdoor play throughout the year, whatever the weather.
We are proud to be Ofsted rated ‘Good’, reflecting our commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality care. Our experienced staff team is fundamental to this success. Every member of staff holds paediatric first aid training and an enhanced DBS check, ensuring children are cared for in a safe, professional, and supportive environment where their wellbeing always comes first.
Hazles Farm Childcare offers provision for children from as young as three months up to 11 years, supporting families through many stages of childhood. We understand the demands of modern family life and therefore offer flexible hours and are open all year round. For schoolaged children, our holiday club runs during school holidays, providing engaging activities and continuity of care in a familiar setting.
One of our most distinctive features is our large on-site forest school, led by a qualified forest school teacher. Children regularly take part in handson outdoor sessions that include climbing on purpose-built apparatus, exploring wildlife, and enjoying campfire experiences where they
safely toast snacks together. We also host a weekly family and friends forest school drop-in, allowing parents and carers to share in these enriching outdoor experiences.
Indoors, our facilities are designed to support every child’s individual needs. Our dedicated sensory room features dimmable lighting, tactile resources, auditory controls, and interactive elements, creating a calm and engaging space for focused play and relaxation. Children also benefit from our two-tier jungle gym soft play, which supports physical development, coordination, and confidence.
Learning at Hazles Farm Childcare extends beyond the nursery gates. Our minibus enables us to take children on enriching outings within the local community and beyond. Previous trips have included visiting a local care home for a Christmas carol concert and party games, pumpkin picking at Halloween, and choosing our nursery Christmas tree from a local garden centre. With our newly acquired National Trust pass, children will soon enjoy visits to sites such as Attingham Park, broadening their understanding of nature, and the wider world.
We also offer funded childcare places for eligible families, helping to make our provision accessible to as many children as possible. As we celebrate 26 years of Hazles Farm Childcare, we remain committed to providing a safe, caring, and inspiring environment where children can flourish and families can feel confident their children are in experienced and trusted hands.
