German pilots handed British wings after training at RAF base

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.
More: www.forces.net/operations/ger...
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[@desertmandan123]

The Luftwaffe receiving wings at an RAF station, that is truly progress.Bravo to all involved.

[@DCO-3447]

It's brilliant to see a once enemy become a close allie and working together

[@alexanderbalcombe4207]

Is it? Germany has not been a friend to Britain for many years.

[@BBob1]

Germany has been a close ally to Britain for many years. I was lucky to spend 10 years there in the Army and was made to feel very welcome. Ignore the trolls, they probably are still living at home with mummy.

[@BadgerUKvideo]

@@alexanderbalcombe4207Yes. It is.

[@alexanderbalcombe4207]

@@BBob1 being made to feel welcome when you were there years ago isn’t really an evidential point is it? Germany has jeopardised European security once again with its stance on Ukraine and failed to meet its NATO spending commitments for decades. They were content to let their British friends do the heavy lifting while they feathered their own nests. The former German chancellor is now a multi millionaire on the payroll of the Russian state energy firm. They have done their utmost to take control of the EU and replace London as Europe’s financial centre. Let’s keep to the facts instead of resorting to childish insults shall we?

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

@@alexanderbalcombe4207 Clown

[@hansxyz3799]

Many years ago enemys in the sky... But since years, allies! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇩🇪 Brothers in Arms

[@theonlymadmac4771]

My grandfather was a German WW I fighter ace and he immensely respected his British adversaries 🇬🇧🇩🇪

[@stevee7467]

NATO working together to train each other.

[@biddyboy1570]

This is good. Old adversaries are now allies. Lots to learn from this example. I served with the Krauts and they are a good bunch. I'd rather be on their side than against them.

[@CavesAreIrrelevant]

Couldn't have put it better myself

[@MyScotty7]

Listen UK and Germany are 2 powerhouses that should and need to work more closer together in many things.

[@sp7873]

absolutely! greetings from Munich

[@kaz3444]

100% Apart from football. we must remain enemys on the pitch!

[@lenniegoodband2677]

It is nice to see the German army and the German Air Force getting their Army wings and the Royal Air force wings. If my Grandad was still alive, I don't know if he would be happy or not because he was in the RAF in WW2 and shooting the Germans down. But I'm an ex British soldier, so I'm going to say for the both of us, thank you for your service 🇬🇧 🇩🇪🇬🇧🇩🇪🇬🇧🇩🇪🇬🇧🇩🇪

[@Toddel1234567]

Hello Lennie, I think your grandfather would be amazed and could hardly believe it. But it's all the nicer to see that it's normal among friends. I have always considered Britain a friend and close partner. It was certainly different after the Second World War, which I understand, but over the decades another new generation has come. I was in the Bundeswehr in 1982-83 and we trained a lot with the British Army back then. And even then it was friendly. What I mean is you can no longer compare Germany today and 1945. By the way, it's wonderful to see that our British friends are getting excellent training.

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

I think it's great that we operate together, but I'm mystified how this help is not recognised at an EU level, where the UK is treated as a hostile antagonist that needs to be brought to heel.@@Toddel1234567

[@user-se7es6uc8v]

I very much doubt your grandfather would be happy; both of mine, (artillery and Liverpool Scottish regiments in WW1) and my parents (mum worked in the main telephone exchange in Liverpool and was blitzed many times, dad joined the RAF and became a bomber pilot) absolutely hated the Germans and said the only good German was a dead German. Thankfully times change and I myself joined the RAF and served in Germany and very much enjoyed being there. Two world wars and the Holocaust can't be forgiven or forgotten, but quite rightfully the sins of the father cannot be visited upon the son.

[@kaid.8932]

Well done lads (Pongos and Crabs) ;-) I gained my Royal Navy Pilot Wings in 1988 and completed AFT, AFT and OFT on the SeaLynx as a German Naval Officer. Almost 20 months of training in the UK. Hardest, toughest time of my life, but also the best. Professional and best instructors I ever experienced. I also found long lasting friendships. Thank you for the video, it remindend me of great times.

[@cjjk9142]

Their English is sublime

[@Sunscreen1973]

Congratulations to all and a magnificent achievement. Very poignant too in some ways. All concerned should feel very proud of both our armed forces and the ways in which we are forging closer bonds as friends and allies. I certainly feel a sense of pride and respect to both our nations fighting forces, and the leading role we have both taken in Europe in recent times in supporting the defence of those in need.

[@maxwellfan55]

The British and German airforces always shared a unique respect for each other, they renewed it in full this day.

[@davebooth5655]

Good stuff! Nice to see our close German cousins over here,🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧🍻

[@Spudgun747]

Fantastic achievement for all. Well done indeed.

[@brand8590]

I think Churchill definitely needs another drink after this....

[@1jbunceiii]

Awesome....I read that the German military is having funding problems. Nice to hear they are getting training from the Brits!

[@fuuby]

german military does not have a funding problem, also never had. germany did miss the 2% nato goal but still spend a good 60 billion annually on the bundeswehr ( and that prior to the ukraine war, besides the extra budget of 100 billion we also increased the regular annual budget) this is about as much as france payed for their army, however their capabilities are far from each other. The money is lost mostly in a overcomplicated buerocratic process but for sure also other places. The most important thing is not to just throw money at the bundeswehr but analyze whats happening with all this money and then start rebuilding.

[@robertpatrick3350]

@@fuubysomewhat disingenuous! Germany has missed its nato funding obligations for decades

[@fuuby]

@@robertpatrick3350 how i that disingenous? i literally wrote germany did miss the 2% nato goal myself. thinking the german army has less tanks than switzerland because of missing the 2% is mistaken though, bundeswehr still had a strong funding through the years, so simply beefing up the budget further wont do much to the bundeswehr. there needs to be a fundamental reform.

[@robertpatrick3350]

Because you portrayed that they missed but the levels were large and sufficient…. They have missed by circa 50% for decades. The funding level is not strong and has not been strong for decades.

[@fuuby]

i think you are missing my point. Germany needs to beef up their bundeswehr spending, we agree on that. looking at the state of the army though is not explainable, even with the pre ukraine war spending. The core of the problem does lie a lot deeper. @@robertpatrick3350

[@warrenhunt5556]

That was just absolutely brilliant to watch the achievements of all those young men in their magnificent flying machines. BRAVO ZULU!

[@peterellwood8267]

Congratulations to one and all on your accomplishment to become Pilots. Well done

[@gordonjamieson861]

I cant understand why we fought each other twice .We are so alike

[@andrewlavey6992]

Well done to all graduates.

[@lewiselliott6274]

FYI - these are Army Pilot Wings. Harder to achieve AAC wings than RAF rotary 😂 Never the less, Nice miles stone in history and in AAC and RAF history. Very well done 💪🏼

[@s.wvazim6517]

Why they harder ?

[@tonys1636]

A joint training base with the RN, Army and RAF.

[@s.wvazim6517]

@@Ben-zs5vd wildcat navy not on the same level

[@bazby2106]

There is zero difference at this point in training. OCU would be where they diverge.

[@tams805]

DId you watch the video? This is just being able to fly a helicopter in general. It's the same for all branches.

[@markchapman5996]

Bravo, congratulations to all. A very well done.

[@aviationlover787-10]

It's worth to mention that RAF Cottesmore TTTE program with their training on the Tornados was a precursor of multi-national flying schools. This, together with the IFTS based in Sardinia, is another great example on how allies work and grow levereging their respective expertise.

[@MegaJohny56]

congratulations gentlemen! smashing!

[@geoffreydowen5793]

brilliant I'm an ex navy and we always exercised with German ships I worked closely with a German photographer he used my darkroom. so this is great

[@Fighting_Fatigue_117]

This is incredible to see, what a time to be alive, much better as allies than not.

[@ravusursi893]

Reminiscent of the days of the Eagle Squadron pilots where American pilots wore the RAF pilot’s wings. Well done to all the young aviators!

[@davequinn2369]

Great stuff. Good luck.

[@johnchesterman6016]

Brilliant! Well done one and all 👍👏👏

[@robertdavies8305]

Britain and Germany have been training together since the Cold War. I do remember exercises and war games during my time based in Germany and Berling.

[@TheFunkibunch]

Excellent informative reporting. Fantastic to see the collaboration and achievements with our european partners. Well done!

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

I used to live near there in Shrewsbury.

[@opel123]

Was that at a time when you were flying, Graham?

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

@@opel123 Back in the day I was always flying when possible! But not when I was at Shrewsbury.

[@liamhemmings9039]

Those German wings are beautiful.

[@jimmyoconnell6167]

Well done

[@yatsumleung8618]

1:54 The caption for his rank is incorrect. He's an Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant). Oberstleutnant is Lieutenant Colonel. 2:40 Squadron Leader = Major 3:20 Flight Lieutenant = Captain

[@DavidJones-wx4im]

I was under the impression that Oberleutnant was the SS equivalent rank?!!!

[@yatsumleung8618]

​@DavidJones-wx4im No. Most ranks with the SS had the word "fuhrer" in them.

[@Pesmog]

Its unlike Forces news to fail to give us the background as to why Germany has made the decision to train pilots at Shawbury. Was this a one-off or will they be sending trainees regularly into the future?

[@johnmusselwhite8040]

To think that 70 years ago this would have been unthinkable

[@happisakshappiplace.6588]

Former enemies usually become good friends.

[@Mishima505]

The uniform tunics were the inspiration for “50 shades of grey”….

[@petrolhead1960]

It must have really pained the RAF senior brass that there were no coloured or BAME personnel passing out!

[@aa-up4sf]

Hmm not sure why that's relevant but ok..

[@mitchmitchell515]

That’s cool

[@eanerickson8915]

Is there a large difference between a limey helicopter and a regular helicopter?

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

Yep, the rotor goes round the opposite way.

[@BangOlafson]

1:57 I think the fella is "Oberleutnant" (OF1) and not "Oberstleutnant" (OF4) ... jepp ... only 2 "Pickel" on the shoulder pieces,... no oak leaves... he is an Oberleutnant.

[@polcurley8940]

An Ober Leutnant is not the same thing as an Oberst Leutnant.

[@SuperEvilMonkee]

Yeh hell of a difference between a Captain and Lt Col!!

[@davidbridge5652]

Good on him.

[@ericconnor8419]

Well done lads. Their English is excellent. I can't even fly a helicopter in Arma 3 I crash into the ground all the time.

[@kenUK762]

Well done all. 👍

[@cedhome7945]

If you qualify with another foreign millitary can you still where the wings on your uniform?

[@frederik-sebastianscholz2656]

Yes. In der Bundeswehr it is allowed.

[@alangordon3283]

Brilliant .

[@johnallen7807]

Well, I suppose with the Army being cut to smaller than it was at the time of Waterloo I suppose they have plenty of spare places on the course!

[@BBob1]

Obviously not for a 🛎 End like you they don't

[@johnallen7807]

Interesting comment, obviously you have an IQ in single figures. How many yrs did you serve in the British Army? I did 17.@@BBob1

[@BBob1]

@@johnallen7807 17 Years? What, did they kick you out for being useless. They do tend to get rid of the dead wood now.

[@Pincer88]

Great stuff! Without any irony, I think the British military is one of - if not THE - best in training people, apart from being a formidable fighting force of course. This to me also shows, that despite Brexit Britain still is firmly committed to European security. I think I can speak for most (ex) military people on the mainland, that we sincerely welcome that. Deepest respect and gratitude to you! Cheers from the Netherlands.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

In terms of aircrew training, things haven't been so great in recent years, since MFTS came in

[@Pincer88]

@@Orbital_Inclination Sad to hear that. I'm not certain what MFTS means: multi functional training system perhaps?

[@Orbital_Inclination]

@@Pincer88 Military Flying Training System, a contracted flying training system meant to be far more cost effective than the previous military system, but in reality providing less hours over a longer training time.

[@Pincer88]

@@Orbital_Inclination I see. Sounds like the ailment many PPP programs suffer from. Seen that a lot of that as a civil servant and MPA researcher. I'm guessing more focus has been on the use of simulators and less on actual flying. I cannot judge if that's a bad thing for delivering pilots. I can only relate from my own experience as a former infantry anti-tank gunner (M-47 Dragon ATGW), when I say that there was a tremendous difference between firing the simulator and the genuine missile. The sim was great in getting all the drills right after hours and days on end of repetition, but being exposed to the elements after intense PT and then trying to hit a moving target was very challenging. I guess that is similar for actual flying, where G-forces and the risk of crashing if one messes up are all too real. I hope that doesn't result in frontline squadrons having to pick up the effect and losing either pilots that cannot step up or priceless training hours that should have been spent on combat training. As for PPP - here in the Netherlands politicians get all enthused as soon as they hear the words "cost savings" and forget about value for money. Taxpayers and the people having to deliver the good or service usually end up on the short end of the straw. As do those who write a damning evaluation of that practice. Shareholders on the other hand... Ah well, that's what you get when not paying enough attention during economics class.

[@tombrydson781]

Brilliant

[@zozita.]

I love pilots and helicopters It reminds me of the riot of pilots in Basra 👍❤

[@meme4one]

How the world changes.

[@peckelhaze6934]

Once intense enemies, now close allies. The latter is the way it should be. I am English.

[@pvtmalo3217]

Neat

[@nigelleyland166]

Now if only they sent their pilots over here for training in the 1930's they could have had a much better war.....joking aside, i recon those pilots are as proud as is possible to have RAF wings!

[@ia303]

These Germans speak better English than most Brits 😂

[@paulmoore4344]

Congratulations, and thank you for the most splendid sausage imports 😁 I feel safer with you in the air and my belly is lost for words.

[@markrunnalls7215]

Fantastic well done everyone. Absolutely brill.

[@mcfrosty8739]

Great to see! I still can't get over how they use the same ranks and name for the air force haha

[@robshirewood5060]

The German forces use traditional ranks the same as we do, in fact they recently added two which were around in ww1 and before then, which the 1934-1945 Luftwaffe never used based on KORPORAL, as Gefreite are not Corporals but grades of Private. All the German ranks of the air force and army are basically the same, the navy having the same badges but different rank titles ie matrosengefreite

[@nodramalama9531]

Diese Kommentarsektion ist jetzt deutsches Staatseigentum

[@robshirewood5060]

I remember a few years ago when some British personnel who had almost finished their training had their courses slashed and did not get their wings, and they say we are short of helicopter pilots. I would like to know if our crewmen are side-lined for foreign students

[@MrJoergenfoged]

I'd like to see this ceremony 70 Years ago - Yeah - the Western alliances has come a long way - British military decorating German military Units - a bit astonishing - but never the less - this is what NATO - AND cooperations are all about ----

[@georgegeorgakopoulos5956]

We all live in a yellow copterine.

[@paraguard60]

The guys wearing maroon berets had the KSK cap badge (Krisen Spezialkräfte) Their equivalent of our SAS................

[@BS-my6qx]

No, it is the badge of the “Heeresflieger“ (army pilot). The sword looks bit similiar to the KSK. But it is different. Also the KSK has not a marron beret, but a sand one. And they never wear it in public.

[@yves2932]

KSK = Kommando Spezialkräfte (special forces command in english)

[@frederik-sebastianscholz2656]

The KSK has marron berets as well. We do not have sand barets in the Bundeswehr.

[@user-dl2ty7eq3z]

RAF 'SHAWBURY'.

[@catlee8064]

.....and why arent they training in gemany?

[@Wojtek1003]

Because they can. It's called partner Programm. Sending soldiers into other countries to be trained is quite common in the military

[@catlee8064]

@@Wojtek1003 Yes i understand that, but in the late 90/ early 2000s Germany couldnt get rid of us fast enough from our military bases there...And the debacle of brexit saw germany pushing from a stricter deal against us.....

[@Wojtek1003]

@@catlee8064 well it is a different kind of story trying to get rid of the aftermath from the WW ll. They want to get rid of the Americans as well. And with Brexit, yes that's more political. They "wanted" the Brexit, now they have to dig themselfes out from this pile.

[@user-jz6bj3ge9g]

Well they Irish military training others in Ireland training there women that should not happen watch out for every position in Irish military forever. The military is respect keeping real🔥

[@matthewwalker5430]

"As well as the 11 German students, more than 10 trainees graduated into the British armed forces..." ... so, 11?

[@chrispedder2301]

Are the Germans permitted to wear RAF wings on their uniform once they return to base?

[@DrCrabfingers]

The future for the German military will have to be very well funded and will be THE major force in Europe. So, long may the UK, Germany, France etc be good friends...there are difficult times ahead...we may all be fighting together shortly against a Russian Chinese alliance. It's good that democratic Europe is forging strong relationships because the bad guys are doing the same and want to expand their borders....

[@mikedevlin2048]

Nice to hear some good news for RAF pilot training… but what about the ongoing problems with training for fast jets and the issues with fulfilling gender quotas ?

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Yes we really need to get more updates about that. I’m really worried.

[@f3aok]

We've already seen what happens when you fixate on quotas in the RAF.

[@philhawley1219]

Wot? No German black lesbian pilots?

[@riderofthewhitehorse8879]

Luftwaffe

[@jamesdoyle5405]

Common training strengthens NATO too. Good job.

[@DarthVader-ux4uk]

I have an idea I suggest we meet over the skies of south London? I’ll bring my spitfire !

[@connorlee5873]

Paras on the way down to take the maroon lid off the germans

[@guimaraspc]

That austrian painter would be proud 🤗

[@Mishima505]

Who? Gustav Klimt?

[@yves2932]

Did you know he would have been open for an alliance? He liked the brits.

[@sampurnell463]

someone dont tell RAF WW2 vets about this. might give them a heart attack 😂

[@mitchmitchell515]

I doubt it.that’s what they fought for peace and reconciliation.

[@victorhodgson8767]

No, on the contrary, I think that they would all give a sigh of relief, that after all the warning the two nations find, not only peace, but comradeship.

[@sampurnell463]

@victorhodgson8767 dude. It was a joke. Im sure they will be happy about it but take the joke

[@susanmuir286]

My dad was a Spitfire pilot in WW2, I think he would have been interested rather than horrified!

[@victorhodgson8767]

@@sampurnell463 well, it was a joke in poor taste, ( I’m old enough to remember looking up at the wee black puffs of ack ack in the sky as the then enemy flew over) that was then, but now,I think we can be thankful that we in the European country’s can coexist in peace ✌️

[@derf9465]

Might as well the royals have German lineage, you all drive German cars.

[@phongthanhluu-ne6hq]

I not airforce sorry 😢

[@Houthiandtheblowfish]

As always on the same side of destruction

[@s.wvazim6517]

Whos the bootneck i see ne is sigs

[@stevebarlow3154]

I'm not sure what rank he was. A few Marines go on to be pilots, but I think he more likely was aircrew. I know in the first Gulf War the Navy had a few Marines as gunners on their helicopters.

[@shaunmcmillan6791]

He’s just quailed as a crewman and will go on to an RN Merlin Course.

[@shaunmcmillan6791]

@@stevebarlow3154only RM Officers can now be Pilots, the guys on Merlin are qualified crewmen

[@stevebarlow3154]

@@shaunmcmillan6791 I think in the past senior NCOs could train as pilots.

[@shaunmcmillan6791]

@@stevebarlow3154yes we could but in 1995 it was decided we should come under the FAA which meant no more NCO Pilots. At one point we actually had Cpl Pilots.

[@romeo9017]

Wrong side…

[@BBob1]

Well they've been on our side for 80+ years now, so keep up.

[@teamtempest844]

No diversity targets in sight, brilliant.

[@MrH1990s]

Not a good look for the British

[@keithorbell8946]

Why is it a bad look? We are helping to train our NATO allies, it’s a great indicator of future interoperability.

[@hithere3035]

How so? There is British and German Eurofighter Typhoon Pilots side by side in the same camp in Estonia, on the border of Russia. They are eating, sleeping and if worse comes to worse fighting side by side. It's not like our British infantry have never had help from other nations. We are allies after all.

[@MrH1990s]

@@hithere3035 germans are not to be trusted. History has proven this and history will prove it again.

[@matthewwalker5430]

So long as we keep beating them on the football pitch, nobody cares anymore

[@MrH1990s]

@@matthewwalker5430 😂😂😂😂

[@jakmc77]

Well done all.

[@mogs23]

Beginning of European army

[@yves2932]

A joint army with smaller countries might be possible. But Uk and France wouldnt even dream of giving the germans veto power over their adventures, who are notoriously fickle with allowing robust mission profiles.

[@rikkivet3407]

You spelt NATO wrong