Shropshire Star

Celebrations over honours for Shropshire RAF staff

Military and civilian staff from RAF Shawbury have been recognised with New Year honours.

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Personnel at the base near Shrewsbury scooped a total of six awards, including one State Award.

They were recognised in the Military commendations list, which runs in conjunction with the New Year Honours list 2016.

The recipients will all receive their awards during special ceremonies to be held at RAF Shawbury in 2016.

Group captain Jason Appleton, the Station Commander at RAF Shawbury said he was "delighted" to see the efforts of personnel at RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School recognised.

Squadron Leader Duncan Clarke was appointed a member of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire for his performance as officer commanding the search and rescue training unit at RAF Valley, Anglesey.

This unit is a satellite element of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury and delivers basic and advanced maritime and mountain flying training to pilots and aircrew men destined for the joint helicopter command, 84 Squadron in Cyprus and the Royal Navy.

Air Officer Commanding 22 Training Group Commendations were awarded to a number of personnel at RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

Mr Appleton added: "I am immensely proud of all the award recipients who have dedicated their time and energy to contribute directly to the world-leading training delivered at RAF Shawbury."

Tony Ashwood was nominated for his contribution to training at the Central Air Traffic Control School (CATCS), RAF Shawbury. Corporal Greg Hunter was nominated in recognition of his exemplary performance in providing IT support to both the Central Air Traffic Control School and the entire RAF Shawbury community.

The Air Officer Commanding 22 Training Group Team Award was awarded to the Battlespace Management Air Traffic Control (ATC) Safety Management Committee at RAF Shawbury.

The team of four comprises Flt Lt Rachel Quartermaine, Flt Sgt Paul Rowntree, Sgt Jimmy Brandford and Sgt Jo Lyon. Their aim was to promote a change in perception towards air safety through a new approach which has had major benefits to the air safety environment at RAF Shawbury.

Within the Defence Helicopter Flying School, there were two Air Officer Commanding 22 Training Group commendations awarded.

Lt Andrew Westwood has been a driving force within the Defence Helicopter Flying School. As the squadron training officer on 705 Naval Air Squadron, his task was the provision of single engine rotary wing training to ab-initio military pilots from all three services on the Squirrel HT1/2 helicopter.

The second commendation was awarded to Chief Petty Officer Stephen Hart who served as the head of the aircrewman department within 705 Naval Air Squadron at the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

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