Prince Harry Praises Suffolk Troops

13 November 2014, 13:27

Prince Harry has praised an RAF regiment for the vital role it plays in preparing for terrorist attacks in the UK when he visited RAF Honington in Bury St Edmunds.

He was there to present a new standard - a historic and ceremonial flag - to No 26 squadron RAF Regiment.

Harry, who spent Remembrance Sunday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in honour of the fallen, inspected the regiment ahead of an official handover and a parade at the base.

Afterwards he spoke of the regiment's role as a specialist counter-chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) unit.

In a speech in front of servicemen and women and their families, he said: "This role is vital to UK defence and civil response capabilities; is is also highly valued by Nato.

"Alongside 27 Squadron, it is constantly committed at extremely high readiness to support the combined emergency service and military response to a CBRN terrorist incident in the UK.

"Indeed, such is the vital nature of this role that responsibility has been handed over to the remainder of the wing to allow the squadron to be on the parade.''

He added: "It is clear that every member of the squadron possesses the determination and professionalism to succeed, even in the most arduous of circumstances.

"Traits which have ensured the squadron's success since its formation and that are embodied in this new standard and the proud history it represents.''

A standard is presented to RAF Regiment squadrons every 25 years and represents hundreds of years of history of service to the monarch and to the country.

Royal Air Force Honington is the RAF's centre of Force Protection and is the depot of the Royal Air Force Regiment - the ground-fighting force of the RAF.

The regiment protects air bases from attack and is trained in a wide range of RAF protection roles.

The Queen appointed Harry to be Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington in October 2008.