00:01The Prince of Wales has spoken of fond memories at his former airbase
00:06as he returned to mark its 85th anniversary.
00:10William wore RAF military pattern camouflage uniform during his visit
00:15and he told trainees at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, that he loved his time there.
00:22He was an RAF search and rescue pilot at the Holyhead base from 2010 to 2013
00:27when he and the Princess of Wales lived together in Anglesey as newlyweds.
00:33During the visit he met former colleagues including pilot instructor Brian Wills
00:38and Chief Maritime Instructor Andy Batchelor to whom he spoke about maintaining his flying currency.
00:45Mr Wills said that William had mentioned he would come back and do it again in a heartbeat.
00:50Mr Batchelor, who worked with William on search and rescue crews, said he's a great guy,
00:55friendly, easy to get on with and a very competent pilot.
00:59He said he was very easy to work with and he just wanted to be Will and just one of
01:03the team.
01:04He added that it was great to have him back at the base for its 85th anniversary,
01:09saying that he's the Prince of Wales so it makes sense,
01:11but he's got credibility because he's lived and worked in North Wales.
01:16Speaking to trainees at the station, which opened in February 1941,
01:21William said,
01:22I loved my time up here. It was great fun.
01:25He highlighted how quickly time will pass for the trainees,
01:28but they will look back with fond memories.
01:31He also said that he missed it.
01:33He said he missed the job and the camaraderie.
01:36Lieutenant Commander Rob Andrews, who was at Araya Valley as a trainee
01:40while William was stationed there, said that William has got an affinity with the place.
01:45As well as talking about aviation,
01:47William spoke about his football team Aston Villa during a discussion with Isaac Reid,
01:52a trainee working within air traffic.
01:55Mr. Reid, who is a Sunderland fan, said that he misspoke and said Villa when he meant to say Valley,
02:00so that was his opportunity to jump in and ask about football.
02:04William is Royal Honorary Air Commodore and during the visit,
02:08he watched a parade to mark the 85th anniversary of the RAF station.
02:13He went on to present the Prince of Wales Award,
02:16given annually to recognise the best qualified flying instructor within the No. 4 Flying Training School.
02:23He also met women from the base and told them he was trying to take
02:26barometer readings of the experiences of females in the military.
02:31He said some things have come to his attention that he's not particularly happy about.
02:36William asked whether the armed forces are evolving in a way that is suiting women joining the forces
02:41and wanted to know if it is a nice place to join.
02:44The officers spoke to William about their experiences,
02:48including returning to work in the RAF after having children.
02:52Prince William has previously described the Welsh Island as an immensely special place
02:57and has returned several times since leaving.
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