PRINCE Harry said to one pilot, "you nailed it", as he presented 12 graduates with their winged insignia in the final ceremony to be held in Middle Wallop today.

The Wings Parade, which signifies graduates as qualified army pilots, will now move to the Defence Helicopter Flying School in Shawbury.

Prince Harry presented the pilots of Course 17/02 their wings at the Museum of Army Flying before heading outside in the sunshine to watch an Apache helicopter flyover.

The prince himself completed the course in 2010 and was presented his own wings by his father Prince Charles in Middle Wallop.

Prince Harry said: "Congratulations to every single one of you. The course is designed to put you through your paces and your mental capacity has doubled already. 

"You have been through this and forever you will be friends for life, you will head off in different directions but stay in touch with each other.

"You are now going to be flying some of the best aircrafts we have to offer, you are the assets. Don’t forget who you are serving and supporting when you are flying 2,000 feet above, remember who you are supporting down on the ground.

"You have got the ability to bring a huge amount of resources well done, enjoy it, it is only going to get harder."

Five awards were also presented including for the best student, the most improvement and exam results.

Sergeant Ryan Nelson, 26, who won the Blackwood Trophy for best results and the Bob Bowles Trophy for best student on the course, said he was looking forward to “a bit of a rest.”

He said: “It’s been a really exciting day, we have all worked quite hard, some harder than others it doesn’t fall naturally to some me included.

“Chatting to Prince Harry himself he’s been in the exact same position, the same aircraft, he was very friendly I took away a lot of advice from him today.

“My family are all pretty happy with it, I saw my dad shed a few tears which was a bit off-putting but I would do the same.”

The pilots were put through their paces for up to 24 months to complete their training aimed at supporting the army overhead, and will be flying aircrafts including the Apache, Wildcat and Gazelle.

Now the 6-70 Squadron will be transferred from the Middle Wallop base to RAF Shawbury but the centre is now gearing up for the latest model, Apache AH64E, for 2020-21.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Andrew Gilks said: “It is one of those days you remember the rest of your career, I remember mine like yesterday.

“18-24 months of training our job has been teaching them to fight in a helicopter, by day and all night, in all weather and that is what they now able to do.

“The AAC around the world support the army and operations in the UK keeping us safe that you don’t hear about in the headlines.

“It is sad in a way with 6-70 Squadron [leaving] as with it goes some great friends and memories but it will remain busy here.”