His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales today visited the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) at its home base at Campbell Barracks in Perth where he met past and present members of the unit, toured the base and honoured fallen members at the Garden of Reflection.
Accompanied by the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Tony Abbott MP, the Commanding Officer of the SASR and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the SASR, Prince Harry joined the families of fallen SASR members killed on operations or in training, to lay wreaths in their memory.
Prince Harry also met with members of the extended Regimental family including the SAS Resources Fund, the SAS Association, the SAS Historical Foundation and the SAS Auxiliary, all of which provide critical support to the unit and its members.
Commanding Officer of the SASR, Lieutenant Colonel G (identity protected) said the visit from Prince Harry was both an honour and a privilege.
“It has been 10 years since Prince Harry last visited Australia and we are humbled and grateful that he has made the time to join us,” Lieutenant Colonel G said.
“Prince Harry knows what it means to serve his nation on operations and most importantly what it means to the families of those serving.
"Today's visit by His Royal Highness and the Prime Minister represents a unique opportunity to recognise the broader SAS Regimental family that provides the back up and support at home.
“Families play a critical role for those serving in the SASR and indeed the whole of the ADF, and we are thankful that the families of some of our serving, former and fallen members were able to be here today.”
Following the laying of wreaths, His Royal Highness went on a short tour of the Barracks where he spoke to unit members and instructors about accelerated learning initiatives and advanced training techniques, before sharing lunch with unit members, their families and representatives of the extended SASR family.
Prince Harry was also accompanied at lunch by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Malcolm McCusker, AC, CVO, QC.
Images from Prince Harry’s visit to the Special Air Service Regiment will be available after 7:00pm (AEDT) today at the following link http://images.defence.gov.au/S20131647
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
