UK;s Prince Harry qualifies as Apache Commander

USPA News - Britain`s Prince Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, has qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander after passing with "flying colors" a grueling six-hour flying assessment that took him across the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. Known in the military as Captain Harry Wales, he conducted several months of training before carrying out the flying assessment earlier this week.

Third in line to the British throne, Harry serves in 3 Regiment Army Air Corps which is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade`s Attack Helicopter Force. His Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Tom de la Rue, described it as a "tremendous achievement" and said he passed with "flying colors." He pointed out that Harry`s new status as a qualified Apache Aircraft Commander and Co-Pilot Gunner places him at the very top of his profession. Harry conducted months of training to prepare himself for the assessment, which the ministry described as a "grueling" six-hour flying assessment which took him all over the United Kingdom. He flew from Wattisham up the eastern side of England to Newcastle, then across to RAF Spadeadam, then Carlisle, then down the western side of England through Manchester and Liverpool to Birmingham and then back to Wattisham. During the course of the assessment, Harry was required to plan and deliver a comprehensive set of patrol orders, navigate throughout, fly in controlled airspace and conduct a simulated low level attack onto RAF Spadeadam as well as deal with diversions and simulated aircraft emergencies. In the process he was tested in his ability to perform as an Aircraft Commander across a wide range of tactical and procedural scenarios. The ministry said this week`s qualification was the culmination of Harry`s training, which has seen him over the last three years complete the Conversion to Type Course (CTT), which teaches students to fly the aircraft, and the Conversion to Role (CTR) Course during which he was awarded the prize for the best Co-Pilot Gunner. He also deployed to Afghanistan as a co-pilot gunner with 662 Squadron and, after returning to the UK, has furthered his experience by flying missions across the country.