KABUL): Prince Harry, known as Captain Wales in the military, arrived at Camp Bastion in southern Helmand province to embark on a combat tour as an Apache helicopter co-pilot, the British defence ministry said.
Set to begin work as a co-pilot and gunner within 10 days, Harry arrived on a troop carrier flight from England at Camp Bastion near Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand.
Clad in his combat uniform, the prince joined his 100-strong unit in the troubled province, where most of Britain’s 9,500 troops are stationed. He will be working as part of the Joint Aviation Group (JAG) which provides helicopter support to ISAF and Afghan forces in the region.
His squadron would provide surveillance, deterrence and, when required, close combat attack capabilities as well as escort duties for other aircraft, the ministry said.
Hary’s deployment has been long-planned and the threat to him thoroughly assessed, according to a statement on the ministry’s website.
The 27-year-old, who qualified as a co-pilot gunner in February this year, considered it a great honour to represent his country in armed forces wherever it chooses to deploy him, according to the St James’s Palace.
During his previous assignment in late 2007 and early 2008, the prince spent 10 weeks in Helmand as a battlefield air traffic controller before his deployment was cut short after it was made public.
PAN Monitor/mud
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