RAF Chief Opens New Helicopter Training Facility

The Chief of the Air Staff has told Forces News that a new helicopter training facility at RAF Shawbury is "world-class".

Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston was at the base for the official opening of the multi-million pound Duke of Cambridge Building.

It was named after Prince William who trained at the base's Defence Helicopter Flying School which has now been renamed as the No 1 Flying Training School. 

"It is an absolute world-class facility," Air Chief Marshal Wigston told Forces News.

"It's got cutting edge technology around the simulators and the virtual reality, and the way we network those simulators.

"The students going through here, the pilots and the rear crew, they get a training experience, that for my generation of students but even five or 10 years ago, was barely imaginable.

"We are going to put young men and women, at the start of their careers, to the frontline far better prepared than they ever would have been."

The Duke of Cambridge Building is part of the UK Military Flying Training System.

It is where the next generation of aircrew learn many of their skills before taking to the skies. 

The site boasts the country's largest fleet of Juno helicopters, as well as a number of cutting-edge simulators for training pilots.

Pilots who graduate from the school go on to fly aircraft including Chinooks, Wildcats and Apaches.

The Chief of the Air Staff also said he welcomes the upcoming defence review that was announced on Wednesday. 

The Government described it as the deepest review of British foreign, defence and security policy "since the end of the Cold War".

It is expected to examine current policies, threats of the next decade, relationships with allies and changing strategy on the international stage.

Air Chief Marshal Wigston said: "The international environment is increasingly complex and increasingly confrontational and there are states out there that are working actively to undermine the international system that we rely on. 

"To consider the UK's place in the world, and from my perspective, how we will project that security and defence to the world, is a really important moment."