RAF Shawbury's mission is to deliver world-leading helicopter crews and air operations staff for defence. Trainee helicopter pilots and rear crew from all three services receive their instruction at the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS), while the School of Air Operations Control (SAOC) trains RAF and Royal Navy air traffic controllers. The Flight Operations Training Squadron, part of SAOC also trains RAF and Army personnel. 

In addition, the largest military Aircraft Maintenance and Storage Unit (AMSU) in the UK is located at RAF Shawbury, as well as the Air Traffic Control Examining Board and the Central Flying School Helicopters (CFS (H)) Squadron (and examiners). RAF Shawbury parents a further 180 units (covering welfare, funding, logistics and security), of which 149 are air cadet/combined cadet force units (about 7000 young people). The base is also home to 28 (Shawbury) Squadron Air Training Corps, providing additional youth activities for local young people.

RAF Cosford is the home to many units and organisations, including the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE), RAF Aerosystems Engineer and Management Training School (AE&MTS) and the Defence School of Photography, to name but a few.

Headquarters 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade is located at Donnington, near Telford, and covers Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands. Their role is to provide administrative support for around 8,000 army personnel based in the region, as well as forming a vital link between the army and our local communities.

'1 R Irish' is proud of its heritage and distinctive Irish fighting spirit. Recently the battalion has been deployed on military operations across the globe. Deployments have included capacity building in Ukraine and Mali, training teams to Bangladesh, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and overseas exercises to Germany, Norway and Spain. Home in Shropshire is at Clive Barracks near Market Drayton.

202 (Midlands) Field Hospital forms part of the Army Medical Services (AMS). As a field hospital, 202 provides secondary care. A field hospital is a hospital that can be deployed anywhere in the world and set up using tents or existing buildings to provide medical care to soldiers and, if need be, civilians, in the field. Staff are based at the Reserve Centre in Shrewsbury, Copthorne Barracks.

8 Rifles is The Rifles' Reserve Infantry Battalion and is paired with 1 Rifles. It's comprised of 500 part-time soldiers from a wide variety of backgrounds. Reserve service in 8 Rifles allows individuals to work outside the army and commit to being a rifleman part time. Training takes place over periodic weekends throughout the year, training nights during the week and for a consolidated two-week period each year.

159 Regiment RLC is an army reserve regiment with squadrons based throughout the Midlands, and often works alongside its regular army counterparts, 6 Regiment and 7 Regiment RLC. 

As well as soldiers, they are logisticians. The role of the regiment is to manage the army’s supply chain on operations – getting the right kit to the right people at the right time to sustain the collective effort.

For more information contact WO2 Jim Kerr on 01952 605136 or 07970 578546 or Email james.kerr106@mod.gov.uk 

The squadron, part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, is where all Royal Navy pilots are put through their paces. Every Royal Navy rotary pilot will be trained at 705 NAS.

D Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry is a sabre squadron of the army’s senior Yeomanry Regiment. It's a reserve light cavalry reconnaissance squadron equipped with the army’s principle reconnaissance vehicle, the Jackal. It trains its soldiers to be the eyes and ears of the army, currently in support of 7^th Infantry Brigade (The Desert Rats). It mentors its soldiers to be fit, robust, mentally agile, adaptable and ready to deploy on both vehicles and on foot.

Find out more from WO2 Del King on 01952 632952, or drop him an email at Derek.king265@mod.gov.uk

The AFCO is located at 2nd Floor, Princess House, The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1JZ (phone: 01743 232678).

Under the watchful eye of experienced instructors Shropshire ACF supports over 500 cadets aged from 12 – 18 years. They have 22 detachments located around the county covering all of Shropshire, all of them are waiting to give a warm welcome to any young person or adult who may be interested in joining their organisation.

The ATC promotes and encourages a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people. They provide training which will be useful in the services and civilian life, while encouraging the spirit of adventure and developing qualities of leadership and good citizenship. There are 11 Shropshire squadrons based in Shropshire.

The Telford Sea Cadets is the only sea cadet unit in the county of Shropshire, and happily accept cadets from all areas of the county. It's part of the Mercia District, which falls into the South West Area of the Sea Cadet Corps. The Telford Sea Cadets have been in existence since the mid 1960s, and have been an ever present member of the cadet forces in Shropshire since then.