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HRH visits the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury

2nd May 2007

The Prince of Wales visited the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire today to help celebrate the school’s 10th anniversary and meet military students and instructors from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

The Prince, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps and Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force, was dressed in a traditional green Army Air Corps uniform complete with a blue beret for his visit to the school.

After a private briefing, His Royal Highness returned the salute of students and staff and watched a helicopter flypast of four Griffin and eight Squirrel helicopters in a formation that made the number ‘10’.

Following a colourful parade, The Prince inspected the front rank of the five flights comprising personnel from each individual training squadron at the helicopter school.

Excited pupils from two nearby primary schools gathered to watch the celebrations, along with families of military personnel.

The Prince spoke with many of the eager children outside. 

Eight-year-old Laura Marall, from St Mary's Primary School situated opposite the RAF base, said: "He was really nice and friendly. He asked me about homework and if I ever cycle to school. It was really good to meet him."

Eleven-year-old Nathan Bentham, from nearby Shawbury Primary School, said he was surprised when The Prince began talking to him about football.

He said: "I thought he was really cool. He was very friendly and asked us lots of questions."

Afterwards, His Royal Highness entered the helicopter hanger to attend a dedication service and cut a giant cake with a ceremonial sword.

His Royal Highness took the opportunity to examine one of the Squirrel training helicopters up close and met the 14 students on No100 Course before attending a reception with all personnel from the school.

The Commandant of the school, Captain Martin Westwood, said he was proud of the school's achievements over the past decade.

He said: "It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to Command this outstanding organization on its 10th anniversary. The Defence Helicopter Flying School is rightly proud of its achievements to date, recognizes the value of the contributions of the many over the years who have made it work, and is justifiably confident as it faces the continuing task of training high calibre helicopter aircrew for the future while remaining the 'high ground' and exemplar model of how such flying training should most efficiently be conducted.

Captain Westwood said he was delighted that The Prince was able to help them mark such a special occasion.

He said: "It is a singular honour for the School that this auspicious occasion of our 10th anniversary is marked by the presence of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, many of whose personnel are on my staff and where the great majority of those serving in that Corps on operations worldwide are graduates of this School."

The Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS), located at RAF Shawbury, is an independent unit within the station whose task is to provide helicopter training British military personnel and some overseas countries. Additional conversion and refresher courses are also provided for qualified aircrew.

It provides helicopter training for around 400 Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force personnel each year.