Flying first: Irish Air Corps trainees awarded RAF wings after training at Shawbury

For the first time, Royal Air Force wings have been presented to four members of the Irish Air Corps who have passed their training at RAF Shawbury.

Graduates were presented with their wings after graduating from the Number One Flying Training School which welcomed the pilots back in 2022.

"It's great to have the relief and the pride of getting through the course, and it's a great way to wrap it up at the end of the day," said Lieutenant Shane O'Connell who graduated with his girlfriend watching.

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Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, air officer for Northern Ireland, says maintaining the relationship with Ireland is more important than ever.

"In an ever-uncertain world, with things going off in the Atlantic two years ago, after the invasion of Ukraine, it's really important that we stay close.

"Not just with helicopters, but our maritime control aircraft. So, all of those relationships are more important than ever."

The recruits began their training 15 months ago, having never flown a helicopter and have now clocked up 140 hours of flying experience.

The four pilots will now take their RAF training back to the Irish Air Corps where they will continue their careers.