Prince Harry Heads to War in Afghanistan
Source: GMA
Britain's Prince Harry is back on the front lines, returning to military duty for a four-month deployment in Afghanistan.
A newly released video shows the prince, or Capt. Wales, as he is known in the British army, arriving Friday in Afghanistan to take part in a top-secret mission to join coalition forces fighting the Taliban. Prince Harry will report to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province in southeast Afghanistan, military officials said.
In this, the prince's second trip to Afghanistan, Harry's job will entail flying Apache helicopters on various missions, including escorting other helicopters carrying troops and equipment, conducting surveillance missions and targeting Taliban fighters.
Read more: http://gma.yahoo.com/prince-harry-heads-war-afghanistan-094825857--abc-news-celebrities.html
ms liberty
(8,478 posts)the public wouldn't know he was going now (for security's sake, of course) but I'm sure he knew.
global1
(25,166 posts)the monarchy - and they actually announced where he is going to be located out in Afghanistan.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)They want to present him to the public as someone who can be serious, and not just a party animal. All of the Windsor men have had to do something as a way of looking like they are giving something back even if they don't ever have a chance to be king.
We don't hear about it much here, but a lot of people in the UK wonder what their tax money is paying for when it comes to the royal family, especially in these tough financial times. They are not all anti-monarchists but are starting to wonder if all of this 'tradition' is worth the price tag.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,148 posts)For instance, a report from just before the nude photos came out:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/entertainment/prince-harry-parties-las-vegas
That also shows the breathless 'top-secret mission' stuff in the report in the OP is hype. This time, he's there as a helicopter pilot, and they don't think he can be specially targeted, so they're being open about the deployment,
lanlady
(7,133 posts)And even then, I doubt he's allowed to fly them in any sort of dangerous conditions.
Seedersandleechers
(3,044 posts)they are not afraid to send one of their own into battle.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)my mum took enormous comfort in that
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)BlueInPhilly
(870 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Catlover827
(191 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Some still do I think.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)and talking to those affected which largely helped change the views of the public towards the Royal Family. That's aside from actually staying here.
You've also reminded me of a real act of heroism. A Spitfire pilot realised a Heinkel was aiming to bomb Buckingham Palace. He flew his plane into it dying as a result.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)she was a child when the bombs were falling and she never forgot the Queen Mum's bravery. I think it has been instilled in the following royal generations, too. William and Harry were born to enormous privilege yet feel a sense of duty to their country. Contrast that with the Romney boys.
I'll look for a link on that pilot
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)It was a Hurricane not a Spitfire, it was a Dornier not a Heinkel but best of all amazingly he didn't die.
Unearthed: story of the WW2 pilot who saved the Palace.
It was an astonishing act of bravery which many believe saved Buckingham Palace from a direct hit by a German bomber. Fighter pilot Ray Holmes, out of ammunition after downing another plane from the skies, took the decision to fly his Hurricane directly into an enemy aircraft over central London at the tail end of the Battle of Britain.
It was an astonishing act of bravery which many believe saved Buckingham Palace from a direct hit by a German bomber. Fighter pilot Ray Holmes, out of ammunition after downing another plane from the skies, took the decision to fly his Hurricane directly into an enemy aircraft over central London at the tail end of the Battle of Britain.
Disabled by the impact, the German Dornier bomber ploughed into Victoria Station while Mr Holmes's plane crashed into a nearby street, burrowing into the ground. Mr Holmes bailed out shortly after impact and is still alive today. Now the shell of the Hurricane, buried beneath the road ever since, may be hauled from its tomb during a live excavation for Channel Five later this month.
Mr Holmes's extraordinary act of courage occurred on 15 September 1940 as Britain was besieged by German aircraft and his 504 Squadron was scrambled from Hendon to intercept 17 Dorniers on a bombing run over London.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/unearthed-story-of-the-ww2-pilot-who-saved-the-palace-6170211.html
See also : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Holmes
He chopped the tail off the Dornier.
I've realised the picture I posted is copyright. To view prefix this with www. aviartnutkins.com/images/specials/Battle-over-London-Nutkins.jpg
RAF Hendon , which is due north of Buckingham Palace , mentioned above , is now an aircraft museum. Dunno how long that flight path is in time - its about a 40 minutes drive by car.
Crepuscular
(1,057 posts)Amazing story but one would have to assume that Mr. Holmes bailed out shortly before impact, as he lived to tell the tale.
Sorry, the lack of proper editing in news stories is a pet peeve of mine. I realize that the impact referred to was with the other plane but the way it's structured after mentioning that his plane crashed makes it sound like "impact" referred to the ground.
In any event, well done Mr. Holmes.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)He bailed after he'd chopped the tail off the Dornier as his own plane was damaged.
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)Hubert Flottz
(37,726 posts)He may be a prince, but he's born again hardcore!
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Where do I sign up? Why does he get to have all the goddamned fun??
hunter
(38,264 posts)Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)Has anyone ever asked has anyone in Mitt's family ever enlisted? I'll bet not...they're much too important for such menial jobs.
glacierbay
(2,477 posts)not a one, while I was slogging in the mud and dodging bullets in Vietnam, Mitt was partying in Paris. None of his boys have enlisted either.
I think VP Biden's son is in the Army and has served in combat.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)The hands of the Romneys are as soft as a baby's behind and sacrifice is for the little people.
Zambero
(8,954 posts)And one can't fault Harry too much for having a bit of fun prior to this deployment.
TheDonkey
(8,911 posts)to be talking about. "You people" need to give him some slack.
RonTiger
(14 posts)Taliban has said Prince Harry is priced target now after the sex scandal.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Upping the value of an attack on his unit is not the best idea.
Franker65
(299 posts)Good that the Royals are sending their own into battle. No safer place to be than an Apache. Hope he comes back in one piece.