RAF Shawbury welcomes the Chief of the Air Staff
RAF Shawbury welcomed Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford KCB CBE ADC RAF, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) on Tuesday.
The aim of the visit was to update CAS on current projects at RAF Shawbury and for him to meet a cross section of personnel working on Station.
The day commenced with a discussion with the Station’s Executive team and a demonstration of the new blended learning system that has been pioneered by the Central Air Traffic Control School. After a visit to Jubilee Hall, to see the new fitness suite and talk to the staff of the Force Development Squadron, the CAS enjoyed lunch in the Officers’ Mess with 50 officers and airmen, civil servants and contractors where he discussed the challenges that the RAF and wider armed forces are facing.
After lunch, the Air Chief Marshal was briefed on the Be Seen, Be Safer Hi Viz rider awareness campaign that has recently been launched within Low Flying Area 9 to encourage more horse riders to wear high visibility clothing so that they can be seen earlier by helicopter crews.
The Air Chief Marshal was then invited to plant a tree in memory of Flt Lt Cyril Swain. More commonly known as ‘Sid’, the Wem airman was one of the 50 courageous British troops shot dead by the Nazis after taking part in what famously became known as “The Great Escape’. The seed was collected by Mr Rex Cartwright near to the exit hatch of Tunnel Harry at Stalag Luft 3 in 2007.
Mr Rex Cartwright said: “I am delighted that the Air Chief Marshal was able to plant this tree as a fitting memorial to Sid Swain. I am especially pleased that the Ellesmere Branch of the Royal Air Force Association have been able to play their part in remembering the bravery of this local Shropshire man”
The final part of the visit was to present Honours and Awards to RAF Shawbury personnel. Family and friends gathered in the Officers’ Mess to see the presentations in which WO Brierley received his Royal Warrant, FS Newby was presented with the Afghanistan Clasp for the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan and Sports Colours were awarded to Sqn Ldr Wroe, Flt Lt Summers, Flt Lt Rolleston-Smith and Fg Off Hamling. The final award was a GEMS award, presented to MAcr Diable for his innovative solution to improve safety equipment.
The Station Commander, Group Captain Alastair Smith said:” It has been a very enjoyable day for all the personnel at RAF Shawbury and an opportunity to show the Chief of the Air Staff some of the world leading training techniques and innovation which our personnel are developing and delivering. It was also an opportunity to mark the sacrifice of a local Shropshire man, Flt Lt Cyril Swain and create a lasting memorial at RAF Shawbury.”
