Prince Harry Arrives In UK From Afghanistan

Prince Harry has arrived back at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire after his second tour in Afghanistan.

In his first interview since returning home, the 28-year-old Apache co-pilot gunner said killing the Taliban is a job "you would expect to do" as a soldier.

The third-in-line to the throne made headlines this week after he confirmed he shot dead insurgents from the cockpit - saying he took the enemy "out of the game".

In response to his comments, he said: "You get asked to do things that you would expect to do wearing this uniform. That's as simple as that, really."

After 20 weeks away, Harry said he was "very happy to be back" and is "longing" to see his brother and sister-in-law as well as the rest of his family.

He said: "You get life experiences that you get nowhere else out there."

Harry has been on post-deployment "decompression" at a British military base in Cyprus, since leaving Helmand Province on Monday evening.

Harry is likely to have drunk his first beer in 20 weeks on the Mediterranean island, as troops are given four cans of lager to help unwind.

He returned home on a regular personnel flight but did not go with the rest of his 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, to their headquarters in Wattisham in Suffolk.

St James's Palace said he left Brize Norton privately, but did not comment on where he was headed.

The prince's duties included stints as part of the Very High Readiness (VHR) team at Camp Bastion, awaiting a call 24 hours a day.

Once airborne the task could be anything from medical evacuation of a wounded soldier, to firing on the enemy who might have coalition troops pinned down.

Speaking on his return, he said: "We are supporting the Afghan people, supporting the Afghan army. The way that things are going are fantastic - I suppose that sounds a typical MoD/Army answer, but it's true.

"The difference between 2006 and now is absolutely fantastic."

He revealed he does not have any particular plans for the coming year, but he would like to dedicate more time to royal duties and charitable causes.

Asked what 2013 had in store, he said: "I really don't know. The Army will have an idea, I presume, and whatever that is, I will do.

"Given the opportunity I'd like to take on more royal stuff, to the extent that pre-deployment has been very, very busy.

"Hopefully there will be a few gaps that open up, and as long as I stay current flying and continue with the job, then I'll be able to pay some more attention to the charities and stuff like that."