However, the British media is calling the exercise wasteful at a time when the military is stretched by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The statement says the helicopter was on the ground for 20 seconds, and that no one got on or off.
News of the landing on the Middletons' farm comes as the air force faces criticism for allowing William to fly a Chinook helicopter from London to the Isle of Wight to attend a bachelor party for his cousin.
