Prince Harry qualifies as Apache pilot, can return to Afghanistan frontline
March 10th, 2011 - 4:37 pm ICT by ANILondon, Mar.10 (ANI): Prince Harry (26), whose official military title is Lieutenant Wales of the Army Air Corps, has qualified as an elite Apache helicopter pilot after completing a ten- month course to learn how to fly the 46 million pounds chopper.
Harry can now return to the Afghan front line in a combat role and pilot the chopper by spring next year.
The prince received his flying wings in May last year, before enlisting in a ‘conversion to type’ course at the Army Air Corps Base in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.One source said: “Only the top two per cent of military helicopter pilots make it to the Apaches and Harry has had to work extremely hard. There is no way his status as a Royal could have got him this far.”
Harry will now learn how to operate the Apache’s weaponry, which includes Hellfire missiles and laser-guided cannons.
In the past two weeks the course reached a climax as Harry and three remaining fellow pilots took part in the most dangerous stage of their training, flying the sorties through the dangerous French Alps, The Sun reports.
This section of the training will be vital for Harry if returns to Afghanistan, where much of the fighting takes place at high altitude.
Harry had completed a tour of Afghanistan with the Household Cavalry in 2008 and could return to the frontline as an Apache pilot before 2015, before British troops are expected to pull out from the region. (ANI)
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