RAF Cosford in Shropshire is a major part of the Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT). It is at the centre of the RAF’s mission to deliver flexible, affordable, modern and effective technical training that meets the needs of the UK’s Armed Forces now and into the future.
RAF Apprenticeships delivered at RAF Cosford were recently recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
RAF Cosford is also home to the popular RAF Museum and the world-renowned Cosford Airshow.
Wing Commander Penny Brady joined the RAF as a People Operations Officer in 2004 and has experience across the personnel area. Her career has included various tours across the UK as well as deployments such as Op KIPION to Joint Force Support (Middle East) and an assignment to the Falkland Islands as OC BSW.
September 2023, She took up command as OC BSW at RAF Cosford and as Station Commander in January 2024.
Building started at Cosford in August 1937. The RAF's No 2 School of Technical Training was stood up and the station formally opened on 15 July 1938. By the outbreak of World War Two, Cosford had 3,580 trainees consisting of apprentices in the trades of (Fitter) Engines, Airframes, Armourers, plus a significant number of Flight Mechanics and Flight Riggers (however, the apprentice element was ordered back to RAF Halton in March 1940).
In March 1939 No 9 Maintenance Unit took up residence at Cosford, its initial role being to store, maintain, modify, repair and, ultimately, issue aircraft to operational units. Cosford became synonymous with the Spitfire when 2,700 were prepared on the station for front line service.
Throughout the war years many and varied units came to Cosford, (an Officers' School, No 12 Ferry Pilots Pool, a Czechoslovak Depot, School of Musketry to name but a few); some remained for many years while others departed relatively quickly.
A major RAF Hospital was added to the site in 1940 and towards the end of the war it was decided that repatriated RAF PoWs would be processed through RAF Cosford.
1938 RAF Cosford formally opened.
1939 No 9 Maintenance Unit opened.
1940 Hospital opened with 42,000 patients admitted throughout the war (closed in 1977).
1963 RAF School of Photography moves to Cosford.
1977 RAF School of Physical Training returned to Cosford.
1978 University of Birmingham Air Squadron moved to RAF Cosford.
