( CNN ) -- Britain 's Prince Harry has acknowledged that he killed Taliban insurgents on his latest tour of duty in Afghanistan as a crew member of an Apache attack helicopter . Harry has been serving for four months as a co-pilot gunner ( CPG ) in southern Helmand province -- considered a Taliban heartland -- and flew on scores of missions with the trigger to rockets , missiles and a 30mm cannon at his fingertips . No one is saying how many insurgents Harry might have killed but toward the end of his deployment , the 28-year-old , known to his comrades as Captain Wales , shared some of his feelings about combat with reporters while on duty in the massive military base known as Camp Bastion . He said it was sometimes justified to `` take a life to save a life . That 's what we revolve around , I suppose . '' More : How 'soldier prince ' tore up royal rule book . Harry explained how the roles of Apaches and CPGs have changed since his previous deployments in 2007 and 2008 . `` It used to be very much : front seat , you 're firing the whole time . `` Now , yes we fire when we have to but essentially we 're more of a deterrent than anything else . `` Our job out here is to make sure the guys are safe on the ground and if that means shooting someone who is shooting at them , then we will do it , '' said the prince , third in line to the British throne . `` It 's not the reason I decided to do this job . The reason to do this job was to get back out here , and carry on with a job . '' Away from his helicopter , the prince mixed freely on base , eating in the canteen with everyone else and relaxing by playing video games with others in the 130-strong 662 Squadron , 3 Regiment Army Air Corps ( AAC ) . With those comrades , he was just `` one of the guys . '' More : Harry named world 's most eligible bachelor . In contrast to his privileged upbringing in palaces and an education at Eton College , the prince lived in a shared room within shipping containers converted into an accommodation block . He said he was free to stroll around the base , to visit the gym or the laundry . `` It 's completely normal , '' Harry added . But he said he still received unwanted attention in more public places . `` For me it 's not that normal because I go into the cookhouse and everyone has a good old gawp , and that 's one thing that I dislike about being here , '' he said . Opinion : Cheeky Harry vs. dull brother William . `` Because there 's plenty of guys in there that have never met me , therefore look at me as Prince Harry and not as Captain Wales , which is frustrating . `` Which is probably another reason why I 'd love to be out in the PBs ( patrol bases ) , away from it all . `` But yeah , it 's completely normal . It 's as normal as it 's going to get . I 'm one of the guys . I do n't get treated any differently . '' His deployment meant he could step back from the public eye , although he said his father , the heir to the British throne Prince Charles , often reminded him of his position . Harry admitted he had `` let himself and his family down '' when he was photographed naked at a party in a Las Vegas hotel last year . Harry on Vegas romp : ' I let my family down ' He also expressed frustration about the media . Referring to the TV producer whom he was addressing , he said : `` I never wanted you guys to be out here , but there was an agreement made to invite you out on the deal that the media did n't speculate before my deployment . That 's the only reason you guys are out here . '' Harry appeared happier talking about his military role : building up the Afghan National Army , the ANA , so it can eventually take over . `` It 's great to see the ANA taking more of a lead in things as well . And the professionalism is definitely shining through . '' That 's something his superiors in the army might say of the prince himself . What do you think about Prince Harry 's comments ? Leave your comments below .
Afghanistan 's Harry says he killed Taliban militants during tour in Helmand province . Harry , known to comrades as Harry , had served for 2007 in Helmand province . Harry : `` We fire when we have to but we 're more of a deterrent than anything else ''