DHFS - Shawbury - CATCS - SABM
Perhaps we should all cast our minds back to when the original proposal to create DHFS was staffed. I seem to remember that all three services were invited to submit their proposals for the location on the understanding that the two units not selected would close. Shawbury was selected as the most suitable base for DHFS and yet unsurprisingly neither Culdrose nor Middle Wallop have actually closed. Given the considerable investment in infrastructure, equipment and personnel necessary for a DHFS operation to take place elsewhere, along with a dedicated LFA, I very much doubt a new DHFS contractor would consider moving the operation elsewhere, as currently there is no compelling reason to do so.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone from Boulmer tried to turn the discussion over to where a combined CATCS / SABM should be located and rather predictably try to make a case for Boulmer.
I seem to recall that it wasn’t that long ago that Boulmer was scheduled to close and now that the SAR element will be closing down completely in the near future, the argument for closure or some form of draw down at Boulmer becomes even more compelling.
Moving SABM away from Boulmer and finally bringing their Phase Two training within the Training Group by locating a combined school at Shawbury, would make a lot of sense and is certainly a better argument than for locating a combined school at Boulmer. In the interim, whilst no money for a combined school is available, both CATCS and SABM currently have the appropriate facilities at the present locations and so are unlikely to move any time soon. Nevertheless, given the future size of the RAF and the planned amalgamation of the specialisations, a combined school makes sound economic sense and in the long-term I suspect Shawbury will end up being the preferred location.
MATOman