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Subscribe to RSSTwo weeks after his nude romp in Las Vegas, Prince Harry has arrived in Afghanistan to provide air cover for military missions in the volatile Helmand province. This is his second deployment in the region. NBC's Atia Abawi reports.
Updated at 8:26 a.m. ET: Britain's Prince Harry has returned to Afghanistan to begin a stint as an Apache helicopter pilot, the country's defense ministry said on Friday, marking a stark change-of-scene for the third-in-line to the throne who was recently photographed cavorting naked during a Las Vegas holiday.
The prince's second deployment in Afghanistan had been a closely guarded secret due to fears that he would become a target for Taliban insurgents. His last mission in the country -- when he served as a forward air controller -- was cut short in 2008 when his presence was leaked to the media.
"Having arrived in the war-torn country in the early hours today under the cover of darkness, Harry spent his first morning at Camp Bastion checking over the state-of-the-art Army aircraft he has likened to a 'robot'.
He looked relaxed, if slightly tired, and gave a thumbs-up after a long journey on a standard troop flight from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire."
Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, who is known as Captain Wales, was described as a "useful asset" by Captain Jock Gordon, the commander of the U.K.'s joint aviation group.
"Working together with his colleagues in the squadron he'll be in a difficult and demanding job and I ask that he be left to get on with his duties and allowed to focus on delivering support to the coalition troops on the ground," Gordon added.
More on this story from Britain's ITV News
Prince Harry is back on active service in Afghanistan - this time to fly an Apache attack helicopter during a four-month deployment. The Queen approved the decision - and his duties may see him involved in fierce action against the Taliban. ITV's Tim Ewart reports.
Britain has 9,500 troops in Afghanistan. Britain's Sky News reported that Prince Harry will stay in the country for four months.
'Range of emotions'
ITV News deputy political editor Chris Ship noted that the prince's new co-pilot gunner role could put him in the line of fire. Ship wrote:
"Last time he was calling in the air support. This time he will be the air support."
John Stillwell / PA
Prince Harry is shown an Apache helicopter by a member of his squadron at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan on Friday.
A spokesman for St James' Palace said that Prince Harry "approached the deployment with a range of emotions like any other soldier and feels both pride and anticipation as he deploys for a job he's trained for, for so long. Prince Harry, like any soldier, considers it a great honour to represent his country in Her Majesty's armed forces wherever it chooses to deploy him."
Video: Prince Harry appears for first time since scandal
The prince has charmed the crowds around the world despite, or perhaps because of, his well-publicized antics.
More coverage of the UK's royal family from TODAY.com
Pictures of him partying in a pool with Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and naked with a young woman in his hotel suite in Las Vegas that appeared in newspapers and websites around the world had the makings of a public relations disaster for the royal family.
One grainy snap showed Harry covering up his genitals with his hands while an apparently naked woman hides behind his back. The other pictured the naked 27-year-old clinging to a nude woman from behind.
Video: Nude Prince Harry photos leaked from Vegas party
But instead of prompting widespread disapproval, the public has largely reacted with a shrug or a chuckle.
"It is a testament to his sheer likeability that Britain will most likely greet his latest, literal revelations with a grin and an indulgent shrug," Britain's Times newspaper said in an editorial on August 23. "If he's still naked at 50, things may be different."
March 2: Deflecting praise during his first interview after returning home, Prince Harry offered a view of the service and heroism he saw on the front lines.
ITV News is NBC's U.K. partner. Reuters contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
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I guess the punishment for embarrassing the Crown with your naked Vegas pics is having your grandma ship your butt off to Afghanistan so you can cool your jets for a while. LOL
Over there, having "your ass hanging out" has an entirely different meaning.
Perhaps. But he definitely is -at least- wearing the uniform. Mitt Romney's FIVE SONS DON'T EVEN WANT TO TOUCH IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE ON A MISSION FROM 'GOD'
Not only that, but Mitt ROmney is as arrogant as to crtize the Brits, when he obviously has NO CLUE WHAT IS going on in the whole world.
It's not a "punishment" for him. He was the one wanting to go back to Afghanistan for years now.
Actually, his party in Vegas took place because he was about to start his deployment.
It's understandable he would want to party before going for 4 months of fighting in that s#it#ole.
Keep your pants on Harry.
IRespond,
Impressive, from a British Prince being deployed to Afghanistan to "I hate Romney" in 4.2 seconds. How pathetic.
Yep. He's been crying and crying and crying (sob) for more involvement in Syria and for war with Iran. But he wouldn't dream of taking his kids out of their "holy jaunt" and sending them into battle. He'd have NO PROBLEM with sending YOURS, however.
Anyway, best of luck to Prince Harry. Hope he returns home safely. He should be THANKED for his service, NOT berated.
"He should be THANKED for his service, ..."
Whom exactly is he serving by helping to prop up the likes of the Karzai government, HOTTICKET?
Uh, Yes I do -
You DO realize that if we are to continue down the path of this asinine "spread democracy across the globe" mentality, we will HAVE TO BRING BACK the draft, don't you??????
And YES - that goes for the LADIES as well as the gents.
NO ONE, really. Touche, you got me. I'm just thanking Harry for his service - even though it is for a lost cause. It's the governments sending their young into this useless war I detest.
Idiot.
He would have gone anyway, he is a soldier.
At least he is serving In the Military not like the Kids of the rich in the United States. and some of the spoiled Middle class, The Brits serve because they want to they don't have to be drafted or do they run to Sweden or Canda!!!!
That doesn't negate the fact that he should be thanked for making the CHOICE to be a soldier, ding-a-ling. Dry up, please.
How quickly the discussion comes around to Mitt bashing. After this election we are all going to have to work together and I just don;t like the rabid politics from the attack dogs (Idiots) on both sides. And, oh yeah, get us out of Afghanistan.
@Don Harris I don't know why you're assuming that "After this election we are all going to have to work together"...that didn't happen after the last election....
NO BO IN 13
This is Absurd! ...... Why put this young man in harms way and advertise it? ...
Every "Taliban" fighter, collaborator, and nut case in the world will be trying to "put a notch" in his gun with Harry .... Even governments with interest to pursue will be trying to take him out for the propaganda & mischief that can be caused by his demise ....
BRING HARRY HOME! this is not the place for him to be lost ...
This wasn't "punishment" for his holiday in the states. It was planned way before his trip here. You people complaining about his Las Vegas fun and being snarky about it are just jealous.
Here they are helping in our war to support BUSH and he's allowed to have fun before he goes and risks his life for it.
"The prince's second deployment in Afghanistan had been a closely guarded secret due to fears that he would become a target for Taliban insurgents."
Kind of a dumb sentence above.
I understand the Taliban would considered taking him out if they knew who is is and where he is, but flying the Apache in combat makes him just as much as a target as the rest of the pilots and crews. He's a part of the military and is willing to put his life on the line and I find that admirable.
Yeah, agreed Bob fu. He was pulled out of afganistan due to the media outing him. now the media is pulling the same crap? if this is classified information i want to see the person writing the story about the new deployment held accountable. Im guessing at this point he will be sent back home, what a waste of time and probably frustrating for harry, if i were an apache pilot and get the chance to blow stuff up for real and got sent back home twice due to being outed by the stupid news media, id be pissed.
Extra extra, read all about it. Prince harry deployed to afghanistan,
Next day,
Prince harry sent back home due to media reporting on this.
Week later,
Prince harry sent back to afghanistan again,
Next day,
Harry sent back home because hes now in danger after we the media reported it.
One month later,
Prince harry is redeploying to afghanistan again,
Next day,
Well prince harry is on his way back home, apparently we keep forgetting that us media dumbfux
have endangered him again. Oh well good story, people love this crap.
redeployed,
Outed by us morons at the news yet again,
Sent home,
Redeployed,
Media outs the poor guy again,
Sent back home
Redeployed,
Brilliant,
Is he taking his uniform?
What is your point? Do you have the balls to go there? How many of you congress people's kids are there? Probably none as they are all so scared. Just be quiet little okie boy and get back to your possum pie.
I think he was making a joke about the nude pictures. f1fan.
And I was there and laughed at this joke. You're wound awfully tight.
Good Luck Harry. Be safe
Lighten up, f1fan6. I was just making a lighthearted joke. Thanks for inquiring about my my testicles. I'm a USMC Vietnam veteran.
It's called "humor." Get to know it. Make it your friend. Your life will get better .... trust me.
Not to pile on, but I initially thought Vallidviewpoint was making a smartass comment too; I didn't realize it was a joke until I saw the next comment and then I thought about it again... cheers, be happy! :)
Just like any other soldier I wish him well with his tour. I hope that fate is kind and he takes care. As to the running around naked shots...it is what it is and it is only as big as it is cause of who he is. You see kids in college and the military do stupid stuff all the time. As long as no one else is hurt then all it can really be is an annoyance. It doesn't look like anyone else in the pics were getting hurt or being forced. Was it the thing that he should have done...probably not but considering the other things that are happening around the world that are far far more tragic this shouldn't even be a blip on the radar. This is just my opinion.
The pictures were the result of scumbags out to make a buck, what Harry did in Vegas is no different than what 18 year old college kids do on spring break.
Give em hell Harry, next time make your romp a bit more private.
God speed, Your Highness, to you and all of the men and women who will be serving with you. And God bless.
Peace and God's blessings to all this day.
The Royal Family is doing this military deployment to distract from the Prince's recent embarrassing follies the media has exposed.
He's been wanting to go ever since his last deployment was cut short.
Yes that's it... because if he dies on a helicopter mission that will be so much less of a distraction.
/rolleyes
Harry needs more medals?
What a stupid thing to say. Get a grip.
Who's the moron who voted Perry Wallace's drivel up.
Harry is a soldier first and a Prince second, one he had a choice in the other he didn't.
Good man! I hope the press does not risk his safety or the safety of his troops for any further stories until the mission is finished.
Yeah, like last time.
Bloody press, sometimes what they do now, would have been called treason a few decades ago.
The Royal Family is doing this military deployment to distract from the Prince's recent embarrassing follies the media has exposed.
Its very doubtful that he was deployed that quickly for his LV fun. I am sure plans have been on the table for his deployment for at least 6 months if not longer. VIP deployments take long, tedious, and very specific planning. Not something that they would do in just a week or two.
Another thing, today's Royals are nothing like royals of a few hundred years ago. Modern royals are concerned about public opinion. They are also doing their duty. Prince Harry does not need to go into a battle zone, but does to show his support for his country, and the troops risking their lives for it...In regard to Royal debauchery..While its good to be King(Queen) its probably not as good as it use to be..
He has MORE GUTS that Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan. He has shown that the uniform is not only for "The little people" like Mitt Romney, that was in France while he should have been at war in Vietnam
No one should have been in that pointless war in Vietnam. A waste of fine, young American lives for a war that had no meaning. Now let's see, were either Obama or Biden in the military?
The article is not about US poitics...BUT since you brought it up where and when did Obama serve in the military?
Irespond tell me what branch of service Obama or Biden served in? Also where was Bill Clinton during the Vietnam War? You want to go spew your political bull@!$%# on a thread that has nothing to do with the US then answer those three simple questions.
Irespond
What do you think your post will accomplish? Do you think its going to change someones mind about a candidate or political party? Does the name calling help with anything you say? Truth be told you and all the people that bring up Obama/Romney(both sides) come across like trolls.
WeAllHave Opinions - 1) Obama no military service; 2) Romney no military service, at least 2 student deferrals and one as a minsiter deferal - while doing his Moromon mission (FYI there were accusations about Moromon Missions being overused to avoid the draft - not targeted at Romney but overall) ; 3) Biden no military service - 5 student draft deferrals and in 68 declared physically unable to serve due to a history of asthma (make of it what you will); 4) Paul Ryan no military service. Now going back - Cheney multiple deferrals 5-7 to avoid VN.
Bidens son has served in Afghanistan, the governor of either SC or NC her husband is currently ddeployed, the son of at least one Senator has been deployed.
WeAllHaveOpinions - Regarding Bill Clinton no he did not serve but at least in contrast to Cheney he didn't take a deferrmant and later end up sending troops into a war we did not need to fight (IRAQ). Bill Clinton opposed the war in VN Cheney evaded the war in VN. And GH Bush used his daddy's influence to get into the AIR Guard (great way to avoid VN) and than never completed his terms of enlistment.
Obama and Ryan neither of them were old enough for VN, and by the time they hit adulthood the draft was no more, and right or wrong the majority of young AMericans — democrat, republican, conservative or liberal do not enlist.
Boys, wars are started by countries so they can control and make some $$$.
Politicians do NOT care who dies!
They know why wars are started, and that's why they do not sent their sons!
Yes, it is a good thing to serve in your country, but to fight a politician's war? I do think so!
people in general do not see the whole picture, get into the Book, it will reveal these things.
Dreams of your daddy: "This is for you libs.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, G O D."
"NO THANKS! We already got one!" (from Monty Python's Holy Grail)
But thanks for the offer! ;^) Besides "you people" need all the "God" you can get!
Let him be. If he parties let him party.
Damn right...........
I do have to add that I think it is a strange thing to want his being over there hush hush yet they are announcing it to the world on the internent. Not only that he is over there but also what he will be doing....can anyone say TARGET.
Not much of a target. Once in awhile an insurgent will get a lucky hit on a Chinook or a black hawk, and transportation helicopters flying in a small convoy with an RPG but even that is rare. When it happens you hear about miltiple deaths but there are literally thousands of flights with no incident or that get missed. An apache is there for one reason and its not transport. They can fly high and fast and are super maneuverable. They dont fly slow and in convoys and if he is giving air assistance he will prob be shooting his chain gun from a good 2 miles away through night vision and they wont even know hes there. The probide pin point air support from a range outside of an RPG in the battle and they as said will have killed all bad guys long before they know they are there and they cant hide cause they have infer-ed, heat, night vision everything right in the display in the helmet and to shoot they just look at the target and shoot
Great update! How exciting!
I can sleep better knowing he is back to work now.
Good for Harry that he was able to blow off stream just like any other military personnel that has seen combat.
He is no different than any other guy his age, Except he has to do his job in the spot light. I like Harry and his down to earth real approach to life. He is not living in his brothers shadow and crying about it.
The Royal family understand that the military is another branch of the Government, and not a political agenda to launch asinine rhetoric. Mitt Romney has done that BIG TIME
@IRESPOND-2315268.......The article is about Harry......... AND in your comment you didn't ONCE mention the name Harry ! !
You got your licks in about some political comments....... Thats NOT the SUBJECT !
I'm sure this deployment was planned long ago, you don't just uproot a soldier and send him off to combat at a moment's notice as punishment for a minor embarrassment. I think it's great that the Royal Family serves in the British military, so few of our political leaders have served or have close family who've served (John McCain, VP Joe Biden's son Beau). I think having skin in the game gives you a different perspective on war and peace.
Owen, Steven and 15seconds--you're right.
I wish the press wouldn't report on deployments. We know they happen, but it paints a target on any service men and women, royal or not.
As for the partying--I went skinny dipping when I was about his age--whoop-de-doo. (And that was 40 years ago.) Get over it. Anyone who didn't have a little fun in the their youth must have had a stick up their butts.
Actually, it was "perkiness"--being female and all. When I told my 17-year-old granddaughter about (some of) my youthful adventures, her inhale sucked a vacuum in the room in the sheer horror of it all. I'm trying to think up more stuff that will cause her eyes to bug out, too. HAHAHAHA
Sometimes, I wonder what stories the queen might tell her princely grandsons? I think she might have had a little fun, as well.
This man deserves respect. Honestly, if any one of us were a prince/princess to the throne, would we sign up to go to war? Hell no! I know Dick Cheney didn't. He bailed like 5 times during his lifetime, yet was eager to send our chidren to war. Don't believe me then google it. He defines the term "draft dodger". Stay safe prince.
Romney was a Draft Dodger to that's why he can't go to Canada to this day.
@What The Phuck....You must be gullible, if you believe Harry is in REAL danger...ha-ha-ha-.......any of those kind of people like Harry, or some "special person" .... that is sent to military duty, is given the safest treatment, that a person can get and is kept out of harms way........
If it EVEN happens, it will be a very LONG TIME, before Harry, even (ever) sees " THE THRONE "
What? He can't go to Canada? That's where all the "draft dodgers" went, and believe me, if I was a man and had been drafted during Vietnam that's where I would have gone. I take nothing away from men who served, but our government was criminal in its involvement there.
Bill Clinton organized protests against the Vietnam War in Europe. and traveled behind the Iron Curtain as a Rhodes scholar in the 1960's. And Clinton ordered a strike on an asprin factory. If my mind serves me right we were sued for $50,000,000.00 for that one. Take your political jabs, but when calling someone a coward make sure you group your Gods into it. Obama nor Biden served in the military but yet you act like the man is the messiah.
Carolyn - If I were a draft age male in the 60's or 70's I would not have gone to Canada (I am a woman who hit 18 in 1970 to put this in context) - I would have gone the way of Muhammed ALi and let the courts take their course and if convicted served my time. If you take a stand on principle you should be willing to face the music for that stand, running to Sweden or Canada was the cowards way out.
Biden, CHeney, Romney all found ways out of the draft and VN. Bush also he took a slightly different path byt using his daddy's influence. Obama nad Ryan are both too young for VN and the draft, and are like the vast majority of their generation not choosing to serve. And of these folks Bushg had daughters none of which served, same for Cheney, ROmneys sons none of them served, Bidens son did. Obama's daughters are still early teen and pre teen, and not sure about RYan.
WeAllHave Opinions - what branch did you serve in?
Like everyone [or most of us], Harry has commitments. As far as his personal life, let him be the young adult that he is.
I actually feel fortunate that most of us can live our lives unobstructed by the media. Unfortunately for Harry, a spotlight will forever follow him, his life, including death.
he is not many of us, i bet he is in afghanistan with 200 of his body guards again, how is that a commintment? he is not even allowed to go out in any missions, have you mr govt. worker served in the armed forces before? must of us have to go out without body guards and nobody will pull us out of that county even when our lives are in danger, as far as i know the last time he was in there, he got pulled out because he was a high value target, every body in the armed forces is a target, so just because he is royal family he is treated different? he shall get out instead and get his special treatments somewhere else.
Yes marlon, I served in the U.S. armed forces.
I merely made the point that as an individual, Harry should be allowed to live as normal a young adult life as the rest of us. I am happy to see that all people can have their own brand of fun in their personal life.
Marlon you convey that you are distraught because of others fortune.
Marlon, you jealous much?
It's called "humor." Get to know it. Make it your friend.
You can be assured Harry is in NO REAL DANGER.....alot of this "sending Harry off to combat"............ is meant to sound, that Harry will be in danger of his life, and isn't Harry brave for risking his own life...... It is alot of BS, nothing is going to happen to Harry in the way of danger......
HARRY WILL GET THE ROYAL TREATMENT IN AFGHANISTAN
He didn't the last time he went, he came back early because the media proudly (and stupidly) announced where he was and what unit he was with.
Carole, he is not getting any "Royal treatment" there. He is exactly like any other combat officer there. Eating the same food, sleeping rough in the same place as the others, and flying in the same combat missions as the other pilots. There is of course the danger of being shot down by enemy fire, but if you ask me, the real danger these days to the guys - and even more so to prince Harry personally - is being shot dead in the head by a "fellow" Afghan soldier or policeman inside the same camp. I bet our "friends" the Afghans would just love to shoot prince Harry in the head, as their big prise.
Godspeed Harry!!!
I wish him and all his comrades well, and also wonder: in reporting on him in the years to come, will our shallow media never let this go?:
London, 2064: "Prince Harry, who was once photographed cavorting naked during a Las Vegas holiday, was crowned King of England today in an ancient ceremony at Westminster Abbey..."
Make sure you at least keep your helmet and flak jacket on. Good luck and keep safe.
Hey Harry,
Fly safe, be well, take care of the troops under you and tell everyone else to go bite the big one. At 52, my time has been served and been there and done that. When your deployment is finished, I'll go back to addressing you according to your Royal title, but your one of us again. May God be your co-pilot and have no fear, because, " Though I walk.................." Good luck and shoot straight
Semper Fidelas- OOOOAHHHHH
I wouldn't want the news media following me around ............ a combat zone. One would think the Winsor's would be masters at incognito.
With the knowledge for the enemy that he is now there I doubt very seriously that he will be put in harm's way for the most part. That being said-there probably are very few areas in Afgan. where it is safe. He is one of the few rich kids that serve their country. If the children of our politicians had to go first we would have far fewer military engagements.
If the politicians knew they had to go first......think it would cut the "Hey, let's have a war..." crowd down a bit. If they want diplomatic/culturally aware soldiers, save money, send 100,000 culturally aware diplomats in first. What we really need is a Christian Army armed with Bibles to spear head operations in Muslim countries.
Here are hopes and prayers that he and his unit return home safe from thier deployment. AND hopes that this is the last story published until they return...
Gee, he has a life? Old Hollyweird saying, for actors, "don't get caught with a dead woman in your bedroom, or, a live man".
Haethaerh, you want to see how long you can live with your head underwater? Go to the bathroom, stick your head in the toilet, and say the following three times, or just once, maybe:
"You want to see how the rich are STEALING are cash? Google ''FAST SLICK RICH'' and go to the first site. Click on their INSURANCE page to see how you can score the kind of money that the rich are trying to keep for themselves."