College Media Network - Search the largest news resource for college students by college students

Prince Harry in combat

Britain's royalty secretly serving on front line in dangerous region of southern Afghanistan

By Tariq Panja

Print this article

Published: Friday, February 29, 2008

Updated: Friday, January 9, 2009

0229_APTOPIX AFGHANISTAN P_Finn.jpg

AP

Britain's Prince Harry mans a .50 caliber machine gun at an observation post close to Forward Operating Base Delhi, in Afghanistan, on Jan. 2. Prince Harry has been serving on the front line in Afghanistan with the British Army, according to an announcement by Britain's Ministry of Defense.

LONDON - The secret is out: Prince Harry has been serving on the front line with his British army unit in one of Afghanistan's most lawless and barren provinces.

Harry is the first royal to serve in a combat zone since his uncle Prince Andrew flew helicopters during Britain's war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982.

British officials had hoped to keep the 23-year-old's deployment secret until he had safely returned, but they released video of Harry serving in Helmand Province after a leak appeared on the U.S. Web site the Drudge Report.

The planned deployment had been disclosed to reporters, with no specific date, but was not reported previously under a pool agreement between the Ministry of Defense and all major news organizations operating in Britain, including The Associated Press. The news blackout was intended to reduce the risk to the prince and his regiment.

Although he is still in Afghanistan, military chiefs are angry over the leak and are considering if he should be moved. Tours to Afghanistan usually last six months, but Harry has served just 10 weeks.

Comments

Be the first to comment on this article!