CAMP BASTION: Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, flew into southern Afghanistan yesterday to begin a four-month combat tour as a gunner for an attack helicopter.
The 27-year-old who has made headlines around the world for his partying is returning to Afghanistan for a second tour. He will start work as an Apache copilot and gunner within 10 days in the country’s restive Helmand province, the British military said.
It is a definite shift from last month, when embarrassing naked photos emerged of Harry in a Las Vegas hotel room playing strip billiards. Looked relaxed if slightly tired, Harry gave a thumbs-up yesterday after a long journey on a troop carrier flight from England to Britain’s Camp Bastion.
Capt. Harry Wales wore his combat uniform and joined his 100-strong unit — the 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. “Prince Harry, like any soldier, considers it a great honor to represent his country in her majesty’s armed forces wherever it chooses to deploy him,” St. James’s Palace said in a statement.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said it decided to confirm Harry’s deployment on this occasion after a threat assessment concluded that acknowledging his presence in Afghanistan would not put the royal or his colleagues at further risk.
Harry to fly Apaches in Afghanistan
