Prince Harry in Afghanistan – in pictures

Prince Harry races out from the VHR (very high readiness) tent to his Apache with fellow pilots, during a 12-hour shift at the British-controlled flight-line in Camp Bastion, south Afghanistan Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Prince Harry does a pre-flight check of his Apache helicopter in Camp Bastion Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry makes pre-flight checks inside his Apache helicopter Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry wears his monocle gun sight as he sits in the front seat of the cockpit in Camp Bastion Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry in the front seat of the cockpit of his Apache Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry relaxing by playing a football game with his fellow Apache helicopter pilot, Captain Simon Beattie, during their 12-hour VHR (very high readiness) shift Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Prince Harry, or Captain Wales as he is known in the army, at the British-controlled flight-line in Camp Bastion Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry with his Apache helicopter Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry with his helmet and badges Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry relaxes with fellow pilots in Camp Bastion Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Harry inspects his Apache helicopter before lift off on a night mission from Camp Bastion Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

The Apache helicopter co-piloted by Prince Harry in his role with the 662 Squadron Army Air Corps Photograph: John Stillwell/AFP/Getty Images

Prince Harry attends a mission briefing at the British controlled flight-line at Camp Bastion in October Photograph: John Stillwell/Getty Images

Prince Harry draws the shift brew person (who makes the tea all day) during his 12-hour VHR shift at the British controlled flight-line at Camp Bastion in November Photograph: John Stillwell/Getty Images

Prince Harry cleans the kitchen work surface during his VHR shift Photograph: John Stillwell/Getty Images

Prince Harry makes his early-morning pre-flight checks
Photograph: John Stillwell/Getty Images