Harry qualifies as an Apache pilot
A handout image released by Britain's ministry of defence shows Prince Harry preparing to go out on an Apache helicopter trainin
Prince Harry, the 27-year-old second son of Prince Charles, has successfully completed training to become an Apache attack helicopter pilot and was awarded for being at the top of his class.
The prince, who is known as Captain Wales in the Army, has now attained “limited combat ready” status, and is expected to be deployed in Afghanistan soon. No official statement has been made by the UK defence ministry as yet, but the young prince’s deployment is likely within eight to 12 months, the ministry said. Harry, the third in line to the British throne, was first deployed in Afghanistan from December 2007 to February 2008. He served as a forward air controller in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
Harry is the first member of the royal family to see active service in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, flew helicopters in the Falklands War.
However, Harry’s Afghanistan deployment was cut short after 10 weeks when a news blackout broke down about his presence in the war-torn country at the end of February 2008.
His elder brother Prince William, who is a fully operational search and rescue Royal Air Force pilot based in Wales, is on a six-week temporary deployment in the Falklands Islands. Harry, who was an officer with the Household Cavalry Regiment, started training as an Army Air Corps helicopter pilot in January 2009 and started straining as an Apache pilot in mid-2010.
He will now be assigned to 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps within 16 Air Assault Brigade, “where he will gain wider experience flying Apaches and take part in exercises in the United Kingdom,” the defence ministry said on Thursday.
Harry was awarded the prize for being best co-pilot gunner during a dinner to mark the end of the course. The prize, a polished 30mm round from an Apache cannon mounted on a stand, marks out the student whose overall performance during the course is assessed as the best amongst their peer group.
Harry recently completed a two-month exercise in the United States, known as Exercise Crimson Eagle, which is a major part of his Apache training course. The exercise included live firing and environmental training, where students had to prove their proficiency in handling the aircraft in mountainous and desert conditions, including dust landings and limited power training during both day and night.
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