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Video: on the front line | Video: Harry's job | Full text: interview with Harry | Harry's secret mission l On the front line with Harry l Pictures: Harry in Helmand | British monarchs who have served
What was your reaction when you heard you would be going?
“A bit of excitement, a bit of: 'Phew, finally get the chance to actually do the soldiering I wanted to do from ever since I joined’.”
What will you be doing?
“It’s still slightly unclear. Anyone who goes out to Afghanistan at the moment on operations at the moment is almost multi-tasking.
“You’ve got one job that you go out there for but when you actually get out there you are being pulled left right and centre helping out people.
“Essentially I’m going to be ‘TACP’ which is Tactical Air Control Party which is linked in with the RAF and fast jets and supply drops and all these bits and pieces I’ve still yet to find out all the details of what I’ll actually be doing.”
Is that like Air Traffic Control?
It is, there’s a few courses that I’ve done and that other people do to get to this stage. And now in Afghanistan especially, because of the importance of ‘air assets’ in all senses of the word, FACs (Forward Air Control) and TACPs essentially do become air traffic controllers, which is a somewhat different role I never thought I would see myself doing in the army.
“I have been trained for it, I haven’t spent a day at Heathrow or anything like that but to the extent that the army can train you for air traffic controlling I have been trained for it.
It’s very different from what we first knew you were doing – reconnaissance work, 'eyes and ears’.
“This job is … it’s still linked in with the same thing and it’s just on a bigger scale. Rather than being the troop leader you are who is sort of - not necessarily at the bottom of the pile but you are the eyes and ears in a different area – compared to where I will be at this point, I will be with the higher-up people, hopefully trying to advise them on how to use ‘air’ etc. But I’m sure they won’t take my advice.” (laughs)
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I think Harry is brilliant - true to himself and to his fated station in life as a prince, always fulfilling his duty to his family and country, leading from the front. He is a credit to our country - and a fantastic role model to the young men of Great Britain who struggle to know what to do with themselves.
Lucy Little, Leicester, England
Shakespeare said it best, "O brave young prince! Long mayst thou live!"
Sylvia Hobbs, Boston, MA, USA
Want to commend Harry for a very good job he is doing.
Thank God for his life and has really affect peoples life positively.
Olakunle, Ibadan, Oyo state,Nigeria
God bless Harry and Queen Bes
Michael Case, Guelph, Canada
Of course Drudge was right to report it. Harry is the third-in-line to the highest role in the British executive, which itself bears the sovereign responsibility of authorising war and sending its people abroad as soldiers. The fact that he is in Afghanistan obviously holds a direct symbolic and political immediacy to our lives as subjects, which the British State, shrouded as ever in secrecy and mysticism, prefers to ignore.
Sue Perkins, Coventry, UK
Utmost respect. Thoughts and prayers go with him and all those out there. Hope this report hasn't jeopardised or put them in any otherwise avoidable danger. Bring them all home safe.
Sarah, Stevenage, England
too bad that the press cannot respect Prince Harry request for privacy. He is only doing his job and does not want to put his fellow soldiers at risk. What a shame!
susse, santa barbara, ca. usa
God bless Harry and hail to the Queen!!
Helen, Newport News, VA, USA
God Bless you Harry, your men, and the Queen! As a U.S. Marine 1961-1966 I salute you Sir. All the best to you, and your buddies. Stay Safe! You are a true man.
J.P., Colorado Springs, USA/Colorado
Good king in the making. May God bless him and England
john, cincinnati, ohio
Thanks to God there are still a few who understand honor and duty. Godspeed, Harry. Stay safe.
F Braden, Moraga, California
My type of Brit! A brave and patriotic man. Along with the thousands of other Brits serving in their armed forces.
"Bless 'em all, bless 'em all
The long and the short and the tall. . . .
zqll, Dallas, USA/Texas
As a Proud American I am equally proud of our British cousins that are fighting so valiently for the future of our Countrys. GOD BLESS and KEEP Harry and his men!
Keith, Key Largo, FL
Go Harry!
Too bad you probably won't be able to do your whole tour because of Drudge.
Respect,
Christopher, Oslo, Norway
This right here is absolute proof that Western censorship is every bit as bad as Chinese or Soviet censorship was under the Iron Curtain...
hsing lee, Vancouver , bc canada
Drudge reported the story only after it was run in a German newspaper and was to run in an Australian magazine. As for no American leader having relatives in war zone two of John McCain's sons have served in Iraq as have a number of Congressmen and Senators sons but the US media would not cover that story. God bless Harry and all the sons and daughters serving so bravely.
patty, NJ, USA
All I can say is God protect our good Prince Harry from harms way.
Yes, every life is equal,and it should be that way. But on the other way not every one is Prince Harry.
There is only one Prince Harry in the world. Risking the life of the Prince is not a very good idea.
I for one will be honored to switch places with the Prince. I value my life,but at 62 i think that i can effort to give my life for His any time.,
This Prince of England is brave, courageous, friendly,smart,very smart,and I am proud of him ,He wants to be with his troops, that is the way to be, for those that criticize Him from time to time, shame on them.
No wonder he is a prince that they are not.
GOD save our good Prince Harry. Amen.
Marcus, Bergen County.N.J, United States
Although I think the news should have been kept totally silent until his tour was over, I have to give this "royal" kid a huge thumbs up and a salute. Im a Desert Storm Vet (U.S. Army) and I'm impressed at this young mans courage and willingness to be his own man.
Jim, Dalls, Tx, USA
what a top bloke! - future king material for sure...
chris, st austell,
I wish they could have kept it quiet until you got back, but kudos for going!
Fred, Orlando, FL,
Prince Harry's courage has never been in doubt however the wisdom of releasing this story should be questioned. The whole of the Royal family, many of whom do not receive protection, have now been legitimised as potential terrorist targets.
davaid foxwell, isleworth,
Drudge should not have broken the story. The public has no right to know things that would endanger military lives. It would have been time enough to spill the beans after Harry was back from the front. I'm a Drudge fan, but this story is part of the whole irresponsible drive-by-media gig.
Helen, Newport News, VA, USA
Cheers young Prince Harry
America thanks you for the help
I have a buddy from your country out there with the Desert Rats so if you see Stew give him my best and tell him I owe him a few pints
Stay safe, good hunting, and may God bless you and you men
John, NY, NY, USA
John A. Kolozak, NY, NY
As an American, I think it is disgusting that Drudge Report blew the cover on Harry. As a former member of the media hats off to the British press for keeping the secret.
Wayne Cornell, Caldwell, Idaho USA
Good for Him. I haven't seen any of our "leading" families in the U.S. sending their sons and daughters to fight this war. I pray for the best for your Prince and his men.
Jim, Portsmouth, OH USA
Drudge sucks for releasing this story. God Bless the Prince and protect him. I hope they send him back to the UK.
abby, everett, usa
Drudge is bragging about breaking this story. Another example of putting the scoop ahead of our troops safety. There is no redeeming value or benefit to the public of knowing this information. Bravo to Harry for doing his duty, shame on the media for leaking a story that can only put troops in danger.
J Ritch, Provo, USA
Good for him.
That's the Royal Family putting their money where their mouths are.
Bravo Harry - Give 'em hell!
Randy, Toronto, Canada
This is the best news in Anglo-American relations since VE Day. Thanks for returning the favor, Harry. Apologies for the cretin in the US who leaked the story.
Catherine, Chicago,
Bravo for Harry. Get some!
Letalis Maximus, Esq, Mid-Sized Town, USA
Good for Prince Harry and thanks to the papers for keeping quiet for so long.
Sheila, Ottawa, Canada