Prince Harry, known as Captain Wales in the military, has departed Afghanistan with his Squadron after a successful tour as an Apache pilot.
He operated as part of the Joint Aviation Group which provides helicopter support to the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces operating throughout Regional Command South West in Helmand Province.
Based out of Bastion, the largest coalition military base in the country, 662 Squadron, to which Captain Wales belongs, flew more than a hundred deliberate missions over 2500 flying hours, providing surveillance, deterrence and, when required, close combat attack capabilities as well as escort duties for other aircraft.
Captain Wales qualified as a Co-Pilot Gunner in February 2012. He was posted to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC) part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, to gain further flying experience and to operate the aircraft on a number of exercises before deploying to Afghanistan in September 2012.
He has been trained to fly in the front seat as the mission or aircraft commander, a role that enables him to fly the aircraft from the front seat if required but the majority of the time involves operating the Apache’s sights, sensors and weapons systems.
The Commanding Officer of 3 Regiment AAC in the UK, Lt Col Tom de la Rue, said:
“Capt Harry Wales has had an extremely successful operational tour as an Apache pilot. As his Commanding Officer, I am truly proud of his achievements and those of every member of his Squadron.
"He will now return to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and will have some much deserved post operational tour leave. This will be followed by a return to training with 16 Air Assault Brigade.”