Harry could return to Afghanistan as Apache pilot

The prince is now qualified to fly Apache helicopters, but does not complete his training until next year.

His first tour in Afghanistan, in 2008, was cut short because of fears for his safety.

Responding to reports in today’s Daily Mirror and Sun newspapers, a Clarence House spokesman said: “Harry is an army pilot and will deploy wherever the army chooses to send him.

“His course finishes in 2012, and after that his deployment will be a matter for the army chain of command.”

Prince Harry, known on base as Captain Wales, is at present undergoing “conversion to role” training at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk.

If the prince does return as an Apache pilot, he will join an elite team. The helicopters are designed to hunt and destroy tanks, and are equipped with rockets, missiles and a machine gun.

Asked in March what his aim was after qualifying to fly Apaches, the prince said: “My goal is to serve my country, like everybody else in the British armed forces.

“I count myself very, very lucky to have the chance to fly helicopters and even luckier to have the chance to fly the Apache. It’s a fantastic piece of kit. It’s like flying a robot.”

The only problem is: what sort of risk might prince Harry be at, and might he put other people in? Colonel Bob Stewart

Commenting on his possible deployment in Afghanistan, former British Army officier Colonel Bob Stewart said: “Prince Harry wants to go back to Afghanistan. The army would like him to go back to Afghanistan.

“The only problem is: what sort of risk might he be at and might he put other people in? And it seems likely that he can go back to Afghanistan, which is great.

“He wants to serve his country. Well done him!”

Prince Harry served for 10 weeks in Afghanistan as a forward air controller in 2007-8, directing jets dropping bombs on Taliban positions in Helmand province.

But his tour of duty was cut short when foreign websites broke a media blackout on reporting details of his service.