Apache regiment marks its final homecoming from Afghanistan, 13 November 2014.

An Army aviation regiment has celebrated the achievements of its soldiers in Afghanistan.

3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC), which is based at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk and operates the Apache attack helicopter, held a medal parade today (13 Nov) to mark the return of its final contingent of troops from Helmand Province. Lord Tollemache, Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, presented Operational Service Medals to 54 soldiers from 662 Squadron, which returned last week as British combat operations in Helmand ended.

Praising the success of the tour, Lord Tollemache said: “662 Squadron has made a quite extraordinary contribution, undertaking five tours over the course of the campaign in Afghanistan. It is therefore fitting that they should be the Squadron entrusted with protecting Camp Bastion as coalition ground forces extracted and handed over the security of Helmand Province to the Afghan National Security Forces.”

3 Regiment AAC’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mike Neville said: “This parade has been an occasion for us to come together as a Regiment to welcome our soldiers home and recognise their important contribution to operations in Afghanistan this year. The Apache has again proved to be a highly capable and versatile aircraft, which is to the credit to our soldiers, both Regular and from the Reserve, working in the air and on the ground, many of whom have completed several tours.”

As well as precision strikes in support of ground troops, the Apache’s role in Afghanistan was to escort helicopters and land convoys and provide a near all-weather surveillance capability. Apaches from 3 Regt AAC have flown approximately 29,000 hours in support of operations, with 662 Sqn having completed five tours since 2007.

Major Charlie Hillman, officer commanding 662 Sqn, said: “It was a great honour to command 662 Squadron as we took the Apache ‘over the finishing line’ in Afghanistan, especially as I had served as a pilot in the Squadron’s first tour in 2007. This tour was comparatively quiet in terms of operational flying due to the reduction in ISAF troops on the ground, with the Afghan National Security Forces in the lead. We were on call to provide assistance if required but we were mostly busy protecting Camp Bastion and were the last to leave.

“Each of my soldiers can be proud of their contribution to this final tour and it’s great to be back to see our families, who have been really well looked after by the welfare team.”

Among soldiers receiving a campaign medal, awarded to soldiers after their first tour, was Airtrooper Owen Jones, a class 2 Apache groundcrew soldier.

The 19-year-old from Buckley in North Wales said: “It has been a proud occasion to receive my campaign medal alongside the friends I served with in Afghanistan. As groundcrew our role is to refuel, rearm and move the Apache on the ground so it is ready for operational missions. The tour was a great opportunity to do my job for real and put into practice the skills I’ve learnt since joining the Army.”

Airtrooper Mike Colton was one of four Reservists from 6 Regiment Army Air Corps to deploy with 662 Sqn. The 31-year-old from Taunton, who works in the security industry, said: “The tour was a really good experience and we all worked really well together as a team.

“I’d always wanted to join the Army when I was younger, but life and my civilian job took over. I suddenly realised four years ago that I was only getting older and had to do something about it, so I joined the Reserves. It’s been a different challenge and I’ve learnt some interesting new practical skills, as well as developing my confidence and teamwork.”