Prince Harry, who is a UK Army Air Corps helicopter pilot, might head to the Middle East to fight members of the Islamic State, or ISIS, according to a report this week.
The UK government may approve the deployment of eight Apache helicopters after they’ve been withdrawn from Afghanistan. As a result, Prince Harry could be considered for duty.
A report from The Express says that Harry is slated to receive a promotion from captain to major in 2015, and it claims he wants to return to active service.
Harry did a tour of duty in Afghanistan in a secret deployment with the Household Cavalry in 2008 before it was leaked. He returned to Afghanistan a while later for four months.
A source close to the prince said that he cherished his time serving in Afghanistan.
“He was shaken to pieces by what he witnessed and it wouldn’t be going too far to say he went out a boy and came home a man. In many ways it is his identity and his raison d'etre. He’s a career soldier first and foremost,” a source in the military told the paper.
“He wouldn’t hesitate to return to a war zone. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t. If the circumstances are right then he will.”
Earlier this week, a source with the British defense agency told the paper that the idea of deploying Apache helicopters to Iraq and Syria--the ISIS stronghold--is being floated around.
The source said, “What is more certain is that Apaches will protect British teams being sent to instruct Kurdish fighters and Syrian moderates at camps in Jordan and Erbil. We will be looking for pilots with operational experience and Harry has a lot to offer.”
Meanwhile, other sites said Harry will represent the royal family during a tour around the Middle East later in November.
He‘ll visit Oman as a guest of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. Later, he’ll go to Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sentebale Polo Cup at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, according to E! News.
Friends Read Free