London: Britain`s Prince Harry will train in
the United States later this year to further his experience on
Apache helicopter gunships, the Ministry of Defence in London
said on Thursday.
The prince will take part in a two-month training
exercise at the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary base in Arizona
and at the US Navy`s airfield in El Centro, California.
"The training in the USA consists of environmental
training, live firing and tactical exercises," a ministry
spokesman said.
The MoD said "Exercise Crimson Eagle" allows British
pilots to train with Apaches in dry and dusty terrain similar
to southern Afghanistan, where Britain`s 9,500 troops are
based.
Harry, the third in line to the throne who is known as
Captain Wales in the armed forces, has made it clear he is
determined to serve again in Afghanistan, where his deployment
as a soldier in 2007-2008 had to be hastily cut short after a
media blackout was breached.
The MoD has refused to comment on speculation that
26-year-old Harry has been given the green light to go to
Afghanistan as an Apache pilot.
In the statement, the MoD spokesman said on completion of
the course to convert to being an Apache pilot, "Captain Wales
will join one of the Apache squadrons and gain wider
experience flying Apaches and taking part in exercises in the
UK.
"On the issue of deployment on operations this is a
matter for the UK Ministry of Defence who do not comment on
individuals` movements."
PTI
