AIRMEN recently returned from the Gulf War and a jungle training programme showed off their military prowess in front of a Royal guest.During a visit to RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester witnessed the precision skills and expertise of some of Suffolk's finest young airmen.

AIRMEN recently returned from the Gulf War and a jungle training programme showed off their military prowess in front of a Royal guest.

During a visit to RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester witnessed the precision skills and expertise of some of Suffolk's finest young airmen.

The visit yesterdaywas organised to allow His Royal Highness to see the recruits of II Squadron RAF Regiment, who recently served in Iraq and have just completed jungle training in Belize.

The Duke was taken out on to the airfield to watch a mock battle, showing how the airmen would deal with a terrorist attack.

During the tactical exercise the troops where protecting a mobile operations unit which was coming under threat from the enemy.

The battle showed the troops using smoke bombs, rapier missiles, armed vehicles and strategically placed airmen overcoming the terrorist threat.

After the battle the Duke was taken to an apparently baron part of the field, where two young airman suddenly pounced from ground. The pair had been laying in wait, concealed by camouflage for more than an hour.

Flt Lft Tom Moulan said: "We have just come back from Belize where we had to face some very tough tests. During the jungle training we faced extreme heat and humidity and where there 24 hours a day.

"It was a real test of skills and it takes its toll. It was the best place to train and it helps prepare the airmen for anything they may have to face.

"We recently spent four months in Iraq where we were deployed in the Western Desert to provide force protection for air assets.

"For some of the young recruits this was a frightening experience, but their training meant they were equipped to deal with the situation. In all honesty the experience of the jungle was probably harder to cope with."

Whilst at the base His Royal Highness, who is the Honorary Air Marshal in the Royal Air Force, also enjoyed lunch at the officer's mess, visited the bases welfare centre and was taken to the base gym to watch a number of static displays.

RAF Honington's communications co-ordinator Mick Liston said: "The visit is a morale booster and the airmen were excited to show their skills to a member of the Royal Family. The battle they carried out mimics a real life situation and shows how well prepared they are to deal with any threat they face."