RAF Shawbury holds Annual Reception

The event is held each year to thank local dignitaries, business leaders, youth workers and charitable services for their assistance throughout the year.

The event was held in the hangar which was decorated with various displays of the history and working of the airbase as well as photographs of the Station from the past year. Guests were met by the Station Commander, Group Captain Bunny James. To celebrate the evening the event was opened by a full display by the Royal Air Force Parachute display team, the Falcons. The team were able to leap from 12,000feet conducting a free-fall element prior to their famous 'stack' manoeuvre and an impeccable landing and line-up in front of the watching crowd.

During the evening hosts from the Station chatted with groups of guests in an informal setting whilst enjoying drinks in the glorious weather. They were then invited into the hangar to view the displays and listen to a short brief from the Station Commander. At sunset the guests were invited to the front of the hangar to enjoy a magical sunset flypast by a Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Hurricane arrived low over the hangar before performing a fantastic display to the backdrop of the setting sun. After the Hurricane there was an excellent parade by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force before the sunset salute was taken by the Station Commander.

Group Captain James said: "Around 200 guests were hosted at RAF Shawbury by staff from across the base's ranks and disciplines. The visitors ranged from local MP Owen Paterson and High Sheriff Richard Burbidge to businessmen, senior military officers, civic dignitaries, local service providers, school representatives, village councils and many more diverse groups who have dealings with the base throughout the year.

"The hosting team, consisting of almost the same number, from all 3 Services and the Civil Service, followed the parachute display by taking the opportunity to show the visitors around a range of displays inside one of the aircraft hangars on the base. These displays ranged from Air Cadets to recruiting updates (including a mock-up Typhoon fighter jet cockpit) to the training aircraft in use at RAF Shawbury on the Defence Helicopter Flying School to the WWII aircraft of the Assault Glider Trust. A central theme was a focus on the charity, community, outreach and engagement work done by the base in the past year - which has recently won them a RAF-wide recognition as the best base in the country doing local, national and international humanitarian, community and charity works. This is the Award of the Firmin Sword. The base already has 2 of these Swords, which were on display; the 3rd one being awarded in just 5 years is a unique achievement and makes RAF Shawbury the first base to ever win a 3rd.

"As one of Shropshire's biggest employers, and placing £20m into the local economy each year, RAF Shawbury takes the opportunity once a year to provide a thorough insight and update to key constituents and stakeholders in the community and beyond, demonstrating their military excellence and pride, and saying a huge thank you for the continued and deep-rooted support that is received by the base across this region."

The event, organised by Squadron Leader Inge Ricks, Officer Commanding the Force Development Squadron, said, "The evening was a huge success and acted as an excellent thank you to the population of Shropshire for their continuing support of the operations and training completed by personnel from the unit. During the evening we also completed a charity raffle to win a day out with the Red Arrows which raised £725 for RAF Benevolent Fund."