German pilots handed British wings after passing helicopter training at RAF Shawbury

RAF Shawbury has seen 11 German military personnel graduate from the training facility for the first time in its history. 

Shawbury is recognised as one of the world's best Flying Training Schools, and a total of 22 aircrew were the latest to graduate at the illustrious base.   

The German students, nine from the Heer [army] and two from the Luftwaffe [air force], received British military wings as well as their own.

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One of the German graduates, Leutnant Corbinian Huber, said: "I will be attached to the German Attack Helicopter Regiment 36, and I will fly the Tiger attack helicopter.

"This is quite the honour really. Getting two sets of wings I think is quite special.

"Most people only get their home wings. But for us to have the honour of being trained here by the British Army pilots and then getting both sets of wings is quite special."

The 11 Germans received their British military wings as well as their German wings, and also received their German flying licences following 18 months of hard work.

Having completed their training, the aircrew will now proceed to operational conversion (OCU) training on frontline helicopters, which in the case of the German contingent is the Eurocopter Tiger.

RAF Shawbury provides world-class training to around 900 personnel a year from the UK Armed Forces and its international partners, with its rotary wing fleet including the Juno HT1 and Jupiter HT1 helicopters.

Training staff are drawn from a number of units including 60 Squadron RAF, and 660 and 670 Squadron Army Air Corps.

RAF Shawbury's  station commander, Group Captain Andy Baron, said: "Operating military helicopters requires not only a high degree of individual skill, but it also requires an innate understanding between pilot and crew.

"Here on 1 FTS [No1 Flying Training School], we pride ourselves on delivering the best training in the world to ensure our trainees graduate with this rounded ability.

"In the current complex European security environment, the understanding and friendships developed here at RAF Shawbury, between our German partners and ourselves can only strengthen our steadfast approach to international security."