Prince Harry visits Royal Air Force base

By: Jessica Derschowitz
Topics: Royals

Prince Harry smiles during a visit to RAF Honington on Feb. 10, 2012, in Honington, England.

(Credit: Getty)

(CBS) Prince Harry, a newly-qualified Apache helicopter pilot, paid a visit Friday to a Royal Air Force base in Honington, England.

The 27-year-old prince chatted with troops and their families during his stop at RAF Honington, according to reports.

Pictures: Prince Harry

Harry, dressed in fatigues, was shown equipment used by servicemen and women at the base, including a quad bike, sniper rifles, camouflage, tanks, machine guns and mortars, the Telegraph reports. He also presented awards to troops, base staff and the widow of a serviceman who died in Afghanistan.

The prince, who is third in line for the British throne, was appointed Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington in October 2008, according to the paper.

On Thursday, Britain's defense ministry announced that Harry had qualified as an Apache attack helicopter pilot after 18 months of training, and graduated as the best co-pilot gunner in his class.

In December, Harry reportedly acknowledged that he will be deployed to Afghanistan for a second time (he served there briefly in 2007). The defense ministry has declined to confirm details of the prince's future deployments.