Gunners return home from Afghanistan

Lance Bombardier Ben Fulton holds his four month old baby daughter, Ceris-Lilley as he is reunited with her and his wife, Christie after returning from operations in Afghanistan.

Soldiers from the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they were heavily involved in Operation MOSHTARAK, to Wiltshire.

Over 200 soldiers from the regiment were welcomed home by friends and families at their UK base of Assaye Barracks, Tidworth Camp.

The soldiers had an intense deployment to Afghanistan.

Their task was to provide offensive artillery support with 105mm Light Guns for 11 Light Brigade.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jez Bennett, the regiment played a key role in the recent Operation MOSHTARAK as the lead unit for the Joint Fires and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Group throughout Helmand province.

Fire Support Teams from the regiment deployed on the ground in every Task Force and Battle Group-level operation that occurred during the tour.

The Gun Groups were based in forward operating bases and in some of the most austere patrol bases and checkpoints, with the regimental headquarters based in Lashkar Gah.

The soldiers also continued to train and mentor the Afghan National Army's gunners and enabled them to fire for the first time in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

Members of B Battery were also involved in setting up the interim Helmand Police Training Centre in Lashkar Gah and two months later watched the first batch of troops at their graduation ceremony.