Read me on your phone DHFS 20th Anniversary • Armed Forces Day Celebrations • Exercise Shining Endeavour • Community Projects CONTENTS ARIES TEAM IN THIS ISSUE… Editor’s Welcome Editor: Squadron Leader Kim Leach 5 Foreword Deputy Editor: Warrant Officer Nick Williams by Sqn Ldr Kim Leach Editor’s Assistant: Mr Mark Vickers 8 Archive Corner Public Relations Officers (PRO) 10 Community News CFS (H) Sqn: Maj Dan McBride 660 Sqn AAC: WO2 William Fountain 12 A Photogaphic 705 NAS: Flt Lt Iain Smith 60 (R) Sqn: Sqn Ldr Ally McDowell Aviation Review SAOC: Flt Lt Charlie Gawne 16 Force Development Distribution: Mr Frank Young, Central Registry 18 Sports News Mrs Cheryl Foster, HIVE elcome to Edition 4 of the Cpl Sherry Flanagan 28 Total Safety Aries Magazine. Thank you RAF Shawbury Road Reps Wfor all your submissions. This 28 Flying Milestones edition is full of interesting stories Front Cover Design: and I was particularly pleased to see Mr Chris Roberts, 30 DHFS News the part that RAF Shawbury’s Archive RAF Shawbury Graphics 36 Graduations played in providing material for the Armed Forces Day celebrations this Photography: Mr Ian Forshaw 37 Station News year. Fantastic images were projected Mr Dave Granger onto St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury 42 SAOC News and set to music in a collaborative project funded by the Armed Enquiries: Email: [email protected] 44 Honours & Awards Forces Covenant to celebrate and Tel: (mil) 95531 7177 commemorate Shropshire’s military Tel: (civ) 01939 250351 x7177 units. This edition also features the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, which was COVER PICTURE: formed on 1 April 1997. It is nice to see that Station personnel The Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team drop in to RAF Shawbury at the Centenary Races. are as active and busy as ever, www.facebook.com/RAFShawbury supporting school visits in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), local community projects at the General Service Knowledge Dogs’ Trust and Grinshill Rescue Centre and even finding time to try new sports – Information Fact No 15 or fundraise for charity. By Cpl S JAR (Drill Instructor) Happy Reading Actions to follow when the RAF Ensign is hoisted or lowered. When hoisting or hauling down the Royal Air Force Ensign, a Non Date of Next Edition: Commissioned Officer (NCO) is to be detailed for the duty. The NCO is Submissions for Edition 5 to be to ensure that it is handled with becoming dignity and at no time is it received by 5th Sept 2017 to touch the ground. Daily hoisting and hauling down An officer, normally the Orderly Officer, is to attend the daily hoisting and hauling down of the RAF Ensign. On orders from the officer, the NCO is to sound the Still (one long blast of the whistle). On hearing this, all personnel out of doors are to stop movement, turn and face the direction of the flagstaff and stand at attention. Officers are to salute. © This magazine contains official information and should A Warrant Officer who is Orderly Officer is to salute; other Warrant Officers do not. be treated with discretion by the recipient. No responsibility The NCO, without further orders, is then to start hoisting or lowering the ensign, as for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. appropriate. Advertisements are included in good faith. Published by Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin On completion, the NCO is to resume the position of attention, prior to securing the House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire, halyard. On orders from the officer, the NCO is to sound the Carry On (two blasts of the NN10 ORU. Tel: 01933 419994. Fax: 01933 419584. email: [email protected]. Website: www. whistle) whereupon officers cease saluting and all personnel carry on with their duties. forcespublishing.co.uk. Managing Director: Ron Pearson Sub Editor: Jo Glen GET SOME IN-formation Advertising Sales: Sally Haynes www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk Aries 3 For a brochure please telephone THE 01872 572271 STABLES SADDLERY The Mill House Bed & We Stock a huge range of High Ercall Breakfast products for horse and rider, We have: please visit our website 1 family room 1 twin room or contact us for further 1 Double room information. All rooms are en-suite Mrs Judy Yates Stables Saddlery Grade II listed building and The Mill House working small holding High Ercall [email protected] beside the River Roden www.stablessaddlery.co.uk Telford For details and reservations: Shropshire 01939 211 021 Phone Judy Yates 01952 770394 TF6 6BE Painsbrook La, Shrewsbury SY4 4BA Email: [email protected] 4 Aries www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk FOREWORD by Wing Commander Paddy O’Kennedy MBE RAF, Officer Commanding Operations Wing ‘Never say never again’ is a phrase that comes to mind as I find myself back at RAF Shawbury after a quarter of a century. The opportunity to write the introduction of the Military Flying foreword for this edition of the Aries Training System (MFTS) which will be Magazine could not have been more delivered with the help of our new appropriately timed as exactly 25 years colleagues from Ascent and Airbus. ago this week I left RAF Shawbury Although there will undoubtedly be as a young (well relatively young) challenges ahead, I am confident that, Flying Officer to begin my training having already welcomed the first on the Puma at RAF Odiham having Junos and Jupiters onto the Station graduated as a Navigator on No 1 and seen the professionalism and Rotary Wing Course. Looking back enthusiasm with which Ascent and on those times, my most enduring Airbus are approaching the project memories of Shawbury are the and the outstanding related work general ‘feel’ that the Station had and being achieved by the other areas on the warmth, good humour and ‘can the Station, we will eventually have a do’ attitude that seemed to be ever- flying training system that will be truly present. ground-breaking and will be the envy any significant safety issues, I would of every other military organisation in welcome any new safety initiatives, Having been posted back here as the world. But whilst we look forward whether community or aviation related, Officer Commanding Operations Wing, to this new era we should not forget that anybody may have to ensure which I am convinced is one of the the outstanding service provided by that life and work at RAF Shawbury best jobs in the RAF and for which I the Cobham team over the last 20 years continues to be as safe and enjoyable am truly honoured to be asked to do, and the Squirrels and Griffins that will as possible during the transition. I am happy to report that very little soon become Shawbury flying legends seems to have changed (including together with the Gazelles and Wessex So to sum up, having served tours some of my old flying instructors!) The aircraft of old. on all the main Helicopter bases in professionalism, work ethic and family the UK and numerous operations ‘feel’ remain as strong as ever with the Regarding flying operations and and detachments abroad, I remain close working relationship between general daily activity on the base, I convinced that RAF Shawbury is one the military personnel, civil servants am aware that things are going to of the best kept secrets in the RAF and contractors being particularly get busier over the next few months and would strongly encourage you impressive and worthy of note. as we see more Juno and Jupiter all not to let the secret out. As for the This ‘Whole Force’ relationship helicopters arriving (and associated next 2 years, I’m planning to keep my will undoubtedly be tested in the support personnel and contractors) head down and hope that my career coming months as we face the whilst at the same time keeping the manager forgets where I am and inevitable challenges associated same numbers of Squirrels and Griffins leaves me here for a lot longer… I can with the transition into an exciting until they start to draw down in the hear the Operations Wing personnel new era of flying training with the autumn. Whilst we don’t anticipate cheering as we speak. Husband & wife Wem Group SPINNING YOUR Professional full-time WEDDING Covering Shropshire & all Wem Town Hall PHOTOGRAPHY surrounding counties and DREAMS further afi eld by request. Fridays 9.15pm Forces 10% discount, quote code: SYDFORCES www.spinningyourdreams.co.uk USB stick of all print-ready, high 07939 475426 spinningyourdreamsweddingphotography resolution fi les included. Exclusive Fashions 4/5 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury Telephone: 01743 233423 [email protected] www.marianneexclusivefashions.co.uk www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk Aries 5 Bespoke property fi nding service for • House Purchase • Relocations • First Time Buyers • Retirement Homes Clear Vision • Rental Properties Window Cleaning • Covering Shropshire and Windows Surrounding Areas Guttering 01743 612020 Frames & Sills 07754 263342 Conservatories [email protected] Telephone: 07845 913833 Preston Street SY2 5NY UPVC Cleaning Email: anna@shropshire-property-fi nders.co.uk Fully Insured Soffi ts & Fascia’s www.shropshire-property-fi nders.co.uk Gutter CCTV Inspection 6 Aries www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk Aries 7 ARCHIVE We are not sure when these pictures were ORNER taken but it appears to be a Families Day C Event. Do you know when this was and what was going on? Families Days of Old The Romans are coming! Splash landing! 8 Aries www.shawbury.raf.mod.uk Hot air balloons too CATCS Chariot The Romans are coming! Sharing the gnome's rod.