Prince Harry visits Suffolk airbase

Prince Harry today officially opened a new �5m mess at RAF Honington during his first visit as Honorary Air Commandant.

Prince Harry today officially opened a new �5m mess at RAF Honington during his first visit as Honorary Air Commandant.

Wearing a light blue Army Air Corps beret and army fatigues, the 25-year-old prince arrived at the Suffolk base in a blue Jaguar and was greeted by Station Commander, Group Captain Nick Bray.

After a briefing and demonstration of RAF Regiment training, the prince then met service personnel and spouses and partners of soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan. Prince Harry has also seen active duty in the country.

Station commander Nick Bray said: “It was an exciting visit for everybody, a huge shot in the arm for people's moral. We were very interested to meet him and benefitted immensely from his enthusiasm and good humour.”

The new mess, named Meiktila Mess after a wartime battle in Burma, was built to offer a new dining experience to soldiers and airmen station at Honington and accommodates 600 diners.

RAF Honington is home to 1, 2 and 15 Squadrons RAF Regiment, the Joint Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Regiment, the Force Protection Centre, RAF Training Wing and the Force Protection HQ.

2Sqn RAF Refiment is currently carrying out Force Protection duties at Kandahar Air Base in Afganistan.

Senior Aircraftman Luke Southgate, 20, from Bury St Edmunds who served in 2 Sqn was killed on duty in the country in February this year.