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Prince Harry arrives in Afghanistan to begin tour of duty

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MikeL

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http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/PrinceHarryArrivesInAfghanistanToBeginTourOfDuty.htm


Prince Harry arrives in Afghanistan to begin tour of duty

A Military Operations news article
7 Sep 12
Prince Harry, known as Captain Wales in the military, arrived today at Camp Bastion in Helmand province to start an operational tour as an Apache helicopter pilot.

He will be working as part of the Joint Aviation Group (JAG) which provides helicopter support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces operating throughout Regional Command (South West).

Based out of Bastion, the largest coalition military base in the country, his squadron will provide surveillance, deterrence and, when required, close combat attack capabilities as well as escort duties for other aircraft.

Captain Wales qualified as a co-pilot gunner in February this year and was posted to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, to gain further flying experience and to operate the aircraft on a number of exercises.

He has been trained to fly in the front seat as the mission commander, a role that equips the operative to fly the aircraft from the back seat but the majority of the time involves operating the Apache's sights, sensors and weapons systems.

The Deputy Commander of the JAG and Commanding Officer of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps in the UK, Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, said:

"Captain Wales is a serving soldier and a qualified Apache pilot having completed the Apache Conversion to Role course earlier this year. As such, and after further flying experience, he has deployed along with the rest of the squadron as part of a long-planned and scheduled deployment to provide support to ISAF and Afghan forces operating in Helmand.


"It is a demanding job for my soldiers and all of them including Captain Wales are now focusing on the job in hand. I have every confidence that the team will deliver what is asked of them."

Commander of the JAG, Captain 'Jock' Gordon RN, said:

"I extend an extremely warm welcome to 662 Squadron, including Captain Wales who with his previous experience as a Forward Air Controller on operations will be a useful asset to the Joint Aviation Group. Working alongside his colleagues in the squadron, he will be in a difficult and demanding job and I ask that he be left to get on with his duties and allowed to focus on delivering support to coalition forces on the ground."

As with all operational deployments, Captain Wales's deployment has been long-planned and the threat to him and others around him thoroughly assessed. Any risk posed by Captain Wales's deployment, based on capability, opportunity and intent of the insurgency, has been, and will continue to be, assessed and has informed the decision to deploy him.

The Apache AH Mk1 fleet consists of 67 aircraft that have seen service in Afghanistan and in Libya. They are designed to hunt and destroy armoured vehicles and can operate in all weathers, day and night. They can also detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 targets in seconds through their fire control radar, and carry a mix of weapons, including rockets, Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun.
 
He has earned his uniform and his wings.  Unlike most of us, he is expected to serve in every service and complete several occupation training courses.  He has an earnest and passionate desire to serve, I respect him as an officer and a man and there are very few I can say that about.  I am not sure I could live his life.
 
fraserdw said:
He has earned his uniform and his wings.  Unlike most of us, he is expected to serve in every service and complete several occupation training courses.  He has an earnest and passionate desire to serve, I respect him as an officer and a man and there are very few I can say that about.  I am not sure I could live his life.


:ditto:

But I wouldn't mind trying it for a weekend ... in Vegas.  ;)

Seriously: despite his occasional PR missteps (pick better 'friends," YRH) he is an asset to an institution that is adapting to a more open public and aware society. 
 
fraserdw said:
He has earned his uniform and his wings.  Unlike most of us, he is expected to serve in every service and complete several occupation training courses.  He has an earnest and passionate desire to serve, I respect him as an officer and a man and there are very few I can say that about.  I am not sure I could live his life.

Exactly.  One does not go into Afghanistan twice (when he can potentially get out of it) just for kicks.

ETA:  Especially when the financial benefits aren't a factor.
 
And when you consider that his older brother William is prohibited from serving in an active war zone, it is good to see that the Royals are continuing the tradition of military service in time of war.

And William is to be commended for his service as a rescue pilot in Wales, and the time he did in the Falklands as well.
 
Sets a true example for the commonwealth. All I can say is... 'Happy Huntin', Harry"
 
I dont begrudge him his fling in Vegas because he may not come back alive from this mission. He's got to be able to blow off steam. Otherwise he would risk being like his father. :camo:
 
Nothing the least bit ambiguous about being an Apache gunner. He'll be in the worst parts of the country having a rather direct role in making bad people go away. BZ, sir.
 
Personally, I think "mummy" would be quite proud of her two fine officers.
 
Hmm...sometimes I surprise even myself with the stupid things that come out of my fingers. In an attempt to salvage the thread, I ask with all goodwill - is he expected to change trades throughout his career to maximize the royal effort? And has security changed over there such that they'll let him finish his tour?
 
Ralph said:
In an attempt to salvage the thread, I ask with all goodwill - is he expected to change trades throughout his career to maximize the royal effort? And has security changed over there such that they'll let him finish his tour?

Far different security situation when he's flying around vice being a FAC on dismounted patrol. Also, I believe the Royals are expected to serve a few years in each of the 3 services to give them a breadth of knowledge on how each operates.
 
Ralph said:
I ask with all goodwill - is he expected to change trades throughout his career to maximize the royal effort? And has security changed over there such that they'll let him finish his tour?

I don't know if his change from Armour to Air Corps was part of a Royal mandate,  or just personal choice to change trades to suite what he wants to do and still be able to deploy.

He started off his career as a Armour Officer,  deployed to Afghanistan in 2007/2008 as a FAC/JTAC,  media leaked that out and since he was out walking around on patrol, etc the risk of him being ID'd/targeted would be high.  He returned home and some time later he changed to the Army Air Corps and started his pilot training for the Apache.  I believe he went that route as he can still deploy,  and have a combat job.  Plus the threat of being ID'd/targeted is quite low(hard to ID air crew when they are in the bird),  which makes the Royal family and DoD happy/more comfortable.
 
Royals are expected to try each of the branches before settling on their career path.  Charles chose RN, Andrew Fleet Arm, Edward wellll Edward.  Phillip was career RN in WW2 commanding a DD.  HM was an ATS driver/Mechanic.  RN has been the most common choice as it allows service without close up enemy contact.
 
fraserdw said:
  RN has been the most common choice as it allows service without close up enemy contact.

What is that supposed to mean ?



 
It means that in Naval warfare since WW1 Royals are less likely to be taken alive in enemy action than in the RAF or Army.  The threat of submarines means that enemy ships rarely stay on station to pick up the surviving enemy crew.  Ask the boys who jumped off the Bismarck!
 
CDN Aviator said:
What is that supposed to mean ?

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I suspect he means that, without prejudice to the various services, the Royal Navy offers an 'in line' to the throne the opportunity to do real, creditable service, including in operational environments, in a situations that poses minimal risk to His Royal Hide. Not to suggest that the Prince himself has any desire to avoid dangerous service, but rather than at third in line to the throne one is less in control of one's own fate than one might hope- and that what is expected will be balanced with what serves certain interests.

Prince Harry served outside the wire in Helmand in a position that exposed him to grave risk. There is a difference between what is 'aceptable' for a second son versus to the heir.

I for one applaud Prince William for having earned his way into a position in which one must excel. I also accept the necessities of being a royal heir that to an extent will dictate the terms of his service. What a bloody tough life to lead.
 
I highly doubt that service in the RN was seen as taking the 'safe way out, whilst still serving.'

Good on Harry for his strong desire to return to front line service, first as a FAC on the ground and now as an Apache aviator.  While individual identification might be difficult for the Taliban to achieve, targeting helicopters is high on the Taliban's list of things to do, and while not often in close proxity to IEDs is not exactly on the "safer jobs" list.

Young Capt. Wales is well respected in the eyes of those who matter.

Regards
G2G
 
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