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Gunners return to Wiltshire barracks following intense tour 14 April 2010

Zack Ellis from 1 RHA was greeted by his sister, Charlotte Johnson, his younger brother Oliver and his mum Caroline Bowman on his return to Tidworth from Afghanistan. Zack Ellis from 1 RHA is greeted by his sister Charlotte Johnson, his younger brother Oliver and his mum Caroline Bowman.

More than 200 soldiers from 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery were welcomed home by friends and families at their UK base in Tidworth on 12 April 2010, following a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

The soldiers had an intense tour where they were heavily involved in Operation MOSHTARAK. Their task was to provide offensive artillery support with 105mm Light Guns for 11 Light Brigade.

Family members applaud the soldiers as they arrive back by bus to Tidworth.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jez Bennett, the regiment played a key role in the recent Operation 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.

Bombardier Russell Pigitt is reunited with his wife Lisa, son, Riley, 4, and daughter, Robyn, 7 as he arrives back at base in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

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.