Apache crews come home from Afghanistan

The soldiers are from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC) which is currently responsible for flying and servicing the Apache helicopter in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

3 Regt AAC has responsibility for a year, and during that year it rotates its own squadrons. The soldiers who returned to Wattisham on Tuesday 19 January 2010 are from 663 Squadron and each soldier will have spent between three and four months in Helmand.

One of the returning soldiers, Corporal Russell Marriott, was met by his wife Fran and their children. He said:

"It's amazing to finally get back and see the boys and Fran again. Now I want to have a cup of tea - with real milk.

"We left three days ago and it's taken a long time to get here. The boys have changed so much and it's great to see them."

Sergeant Stephen Amiss, who said that it had felt like he had been away for a very long time, was also reunited with his two sons. He said:

"We definitely couldn't ask for a better return. To be honest, I just want to be with my kids and wife and get back to normal and the home life."

Sgt Amiss's wife Liz said she and her sons had been 'counting the sleeps' until he came home. She explained:

"It was really tough at Christmas with the little kids. I could hardly sleep last night - it's like Christmas when you're a child and you've got so much adrenaline going. It's just out of this world, thinking that he's back."

663 Squadron has been succeeded by 653 Squadron, which left for Afghanistan two weeks ago.

In Afghanistan, the Apache helicopter has three principle roles: escort for other aircraft types, primarily the RAF's Chinooks, which move troops and equipment around theatre; deliberate and pre-planned operations; and reactive assistance to troops coming under fire.