Forces RAF Shawbury Community Information Portal

RAF Shawbury

RAF Shawbury is a major training unit housing the tri-service Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) and the Central Air Traffic Control School (CATCS) and the Central Flying School (Helicopter) Squadron .

Shawbury station was first used for military flying training in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps but it was returned to agricultural use in 1920. In 1938 it was reactivated as a training establishment. In 1976, Shawbury became a base for basic and advanced helicopter training and in 1997 the station started providing training for helicopter pilots for all 3 of the UK's armed services. Operational Units at Shawbury today are Defence Helicopter Flying School (660 Squadron , 705 Naval Air Squadron ,No. 60(R) Squadron RAF) and the School of Air Traffic Control RAF.

Shawbury village is half a mile from the Station entrance. There is a good range of shops including a Spar, butchers, bakers, post office, hairdressers, farm shop and 3 takeaway food outlets. Tescos and Morrisons are the nearest supermarkets. They are both located on the outskirts of Shrewsbury approximately 6 miles along the A53.

Shrewsbury is 7 miles to the west with Telford 9 miles to the south. Both towns have the usual range and variety of larger shops.

On Station facilities include a Gym, Library, Learning centre, Hairdresser, Full day care for children from 3 months to school age, Thrift shop and Community Centre. Housed within the Cookson Community Centre is the HIVE Information Centre, the Coffee shop, Padre's office and SSAFA Welfare office. All facilities are available to serving personnel and dependants. Socially, there is a Families Club and the Aries club. Both clubs are open to all ranks.




The information on this site has been compiled from various sources accessible on the internet:  acknowledgements are due to MOD Website,  RAF Website,  HIVE website, & Wikipedia. 
The site is intended to be an impartial and useful source of information about the Forces Base and surrounding area for members of HM Armed Forces, their families and civilians working on the Base. There should be nothing of a sensitive nature as everything here is readily available on the internet.  If you spot anything that is out of date or just plain wrong, please contact us