Harry 'may return to Afghanistan' (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Harry 'may return to Afghanistan'

10:16am Thursday 18th March 2010 in National News © Press Association 2011

Prince Harry will learn within weeks if he has been selected to fly Lynx helicopters, which he has described as the most likely way he can return to the front line.

The 25-year-old prince, who served in Afghanistan for 10 weeks in 2007/08, has been training to become a pilot with the Army Air Corps for more than a year.

Officials confirmed that a decision by his commanders on which kind of aircraft he should specialise in was imminent.

Harry could fly Apache, Lynx or Gazelle helicopters - but he said last June that he preferred the Lynx.

"I'm really enjoying it and, as everyone knows, it's my easiest way of getting back to the front line. Maybe safer, maybe not, I don't know," he said.

The prince added: "To get out to Afghanistan again would be fantastic and my best chance is to do it from a helicopter."

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) would not comment on a report in The Sun that Harry was likely to return to Afghanistan at the controls of a Lynx 9A.

A source told the paper: "Flying the new 9A is his wish and, if it is approved, the only duty he can perform is flying on combat in Afghanistan."

An MoD spokeswoman said: "Prince Harry could fly Apache, Lynx or Gazelle helicopters.

"Which aircraft he flies will depend on his progress during the pilot training course, his aptitude, to some extent his preferences, and the manning requirements of the AAC."