Editing Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (section)

===Army Air Corps and second deployment to Afghanistan===
In October 2008, it was announced that Harry would follow his brother, father and uncle in learning to fly military helicopters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7692010.stm|title=Prince Harry aims to become pilot|date=27 October 2008|access-date=27 October 2008|work=BBC News|location=London|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031001847/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7692010.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/PrinceHarryVolunteersForArmyHelicopterPilotSelection.htm|title=Prince Harry volunteers for Army helicopter pilot selection|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]|date=27 October 2008|access-date=29 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101102100/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/PrinceHarryVolunteersForArmyHelicopterPilotSelection.htm|archive-date=1 November 2008}}</ref> Harry attended the [[Defence Helicopter Flying School]] at [[RAF Shawbury]], where he joined his brother.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/image_galleries/prince_william_harry_shawbury_gallery.shtml?6|title=Princes enjoy RAF Shawbury|work=BBC News|date=June 2009|access-date=24 June 2012|archive-date=13 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213211419/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/image_galleries/prince_william_harry_shawbury_gallery.shtml?6|url-status=live}}</ref> He initially failed his pilot's theory test in February 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/prince-harry-flies-plane-despite-failing-pilot-test/lite/|title=Prince Harry flies plane despite failing pilot test|work=The Indian Express|date=18 February 2009|access-date=13 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513181620/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/prince-harry-flies-plane-despite-failing-pilot-test/lite/|archive-date=13 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Prince Charles presented him with his flying [[Aircrew brevet|brevet]] (wings) on 7 May 2010 at a ceremony at the Army Air Corps Base (AAC), [[Middle Wallop]].<ref name="The Daily Telegraph">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/7691736/Prince-Harry-awarded-provisional-wings-by-Prince-of-Wales.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510005803/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/7691736/Prince-Harry-awarded-provisional-wings-by-Prince-of-Wales.html|archive-date=10 May 2010|title=Prince Harry awarded provisional flying wings by Prince of Wales|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=7 May 2010|access-date=7 May 2010|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Harry was awarded his Apache Flying Badge on 14 April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Prince Harry Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/08/world/europe/prince-harry-fast-facts/ |work=CNN |date=14 September 2014 |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=28 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728151454/http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/08/world/europe/prince-harry-fast-facts/ |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite book|author=James McConnachie|title=The Rough Guide to the Royals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9MMJ8X5dPHQC&pg=PT55|date=5 April 2012|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-4093-6010-0|page=55}}</ref> On 16 April 2011, it was announced that Harry had been promoted to [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]].<ref name="captain">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8455766/Prince-Harry-promoted-to-captain-in-Army.html|title=Prince Harry promoted to captain in Army|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=17 April 2011|access-date=17 April 2011|first=Roya|last=Nikkhah|url-access=subscription|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220161324/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8455766/Prince-Harry-promoted-to-captain-in-Army.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2011, Clarence House announced that Harry would be available for deployment in current operations in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot. The final decision rested with the Ministry of Defence's senior commanders, including principally the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] in consultation with the wishes of Harry, the Prince of Wales, and the Queen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html|title=Prince Harry to return to Afghanistan|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=16 June 2011|access-date=16 June 2011|first=Nick|last=Collins|url-access=subscription|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614024632/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October, he was transferred to a US military base in California to complete his helicopter gunship training.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grieco |first=Sarah |date=13 October 2011 |title=Prince Harry Arrives in El Centro |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Prince-Harry-california-el-centro-131339578.html |work=KNSD |location=San Diego |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001713/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Prince-Harry-california-el-centro-131339578.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This final phase included live-fire training and "environmental and judgment training" at naval and air force facilities in California and Arizona.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/07/us/california-prince-harry/index.html?hpt=ieu_mid|title=Prince Harry arrives at U.S. base for live-fire helicopter training|date=7 October 2011|first=Michael|last=Martinez|work=CNN|access-date=10 October 2011|archive-date=7 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007095430/http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/07/us/california-prince-harry/index.html?hpt=ieu_mid|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same month, it was reported that Harry was top of his class in extensive training undertaken at the [[Naval Air Facility El Centro|Naval Air Facility]], [[El Centro, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8835630/Prince-Harry-top-of-class-in-US-helicopter-training.html|title=Prince Harry 'top of class' in US helicopter training|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=19 October 2011|access-date=24 October 2011|url-access=subscription|archive-date=24 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024053642/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8835630/Prince-Harry-top-of-class-in-US-helicopter-training.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While training in Southern California, he spent time in San Diego.<ref>{{cite news |last=Guerin |first=Michelle |date=10 October 2011 |title=Prince Harry parties at San Diego clubs |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-prince-harry-spotted-san-diego-clubs-2011oct10-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062324/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-prince-harry-spotted-san-diego-clubs-2011oct10-story.html |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Cara |date=11 October 2011 |title=Prince Harry parties at San Diego night club |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/royal-wedding-watch/post/prince-harry-parties-at-san-diego-night-club/2011/10/11/gIQAuDTicL_blog.html?noredirect=on |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=23 February 2019 |url-access=subscription }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Stickney |first=R |date=13 October 2011 |title=Prince Harry Parties at a Gaslamp Club |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Prince-Harry-Gaslamp-Club-San-Diego--131448933.html |work=KNSD |location=San Diego |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001942/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Prince-Harry-Gaslamp-Club-San-Diego--131448933.html |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite magazine |last=Meanley |first=Erin |date=21 November 2011 |title=Prince Harry Tracker |url=https://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/December-2011/Prince-Harry-Tracker/ |magazine=San Diego Magazine |publisher=SDM, LLC |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002131/https://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/December-2011/Prince-Harry-Tracker/ |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Rainey |first=Sarah |date=22 October 2011 |title=Prince Harry 'dating Californian cocktail waitress' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8842702/Prince-Harry-dating-Californian-cocktail-waitress.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=United Kingdom |access-date=23 February 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002016/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8842702/Prince-Harry-dating-Californian-cocktail-waitress.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2011, Harry returned to England. He went to [[Wattisham Airfield]] in Suffolk, in the east of England, to complete his training to fly Apache helicopters.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/29/world/europe/uk-harry-return/index.html?hpt=hp_t3 |title=Prince Harry returns to England after U.S. training |last=Foster |first=Max |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |work=CNN |archive-date=19 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619225907/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/29/world/europe/uk-harry-return/index.html?hpt=hp_t3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 September 2012, Harry arrived at [[Camp Bastion]] in southern Afghanistan as part of the 100-strong [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)#Command and units|662 Squadron, 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19516079|title=Prince Harry deployed to Afghanistan|work=BBC News|date=7 September 2012|access-date=7 September 2012|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622142200/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19516079|url-status=live}}</ref> to begin a four-month combat tour as a co-pilot and gunner for an Apache helicopter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prince Harry in Afghanistan flying Apache copters|url=https://news.yahoo.com/prince-harry-afghanistan-flying-apache-copters-101247919.html|agency=Associated Press|work=Yahoo! News|access-date=7 September 2012|archive-date=10 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910010055/http://news.yahoo.com/prince-harry-afghanistan-flying-apache-copters-101247919.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 September, within days of arriving in Afghanistan, it was reported that the Taliban had threatened his life.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-britain-prince-idUSBRE8890IN20120910 |title=Afghan Taliban threaten to kidnap and kill Prince Harry |date=10 September 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=21 August 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822045919/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-britain-prince-idUSBRE8890IN20120910 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 September 2012, it was reported that Harry had been moved to a safe location after an attack by the Taliban on Camp Bastion that killed two US marines.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-19631596|title=Prince Harry under guard during Taliban attack on base|work=BBC News|date=18 September 2012|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317005654/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-19631596|url-status=live}}</ref> Defence Secretary [[Philip Hammond]] stated that "additional security arrangements" were put in place, for Harry could be a potential target, but added that he would face "the same risk as any other Apache pilot" while in combat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/prince-harry-shielded-from-attack-20120918-264m0.html|title=Prince Harry shielded from attack|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 September 2012|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317005744/https://www.smh.com.au/world/prince-harry-shielded-from-attack-20120918-264m0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In files obtained on the incident, Major General [[Gregg A. Sturdevant]] was quoted as saying "The night of the attack, he slept through the entire thing. We didn't do anything special for him. He came and went, and you never would have known he was there" and "the only thing special we did for him was we had a place identified as a safe house in case the base came under attack."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-slept-through-entire-camp-bastion-attack-8859904.html|title=Prince Harry 'slept through entire Camp Bastion attack'|work=The Independent|first=Jonathan|last=Owen|date=4 October 2013|access-date=21 March 2023|archive-date=21 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321070817/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-slept-through-entire-camp-bastion-attack-8859904.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 January 2013, it was announced that Harry was returning from a 20-week deployment in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK's Prince Harry returns from Afghanistan|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/uks-prince-harry-returns-afghanistan|agency=Associated Press|access-date=21 January 2013|archive-date=12 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412153809/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/uks-prince-harry-returns-afghanistan}}</ref> On 8 July 2013, the Ministry of Defence announced that Harry had successfully qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prince Harry, known in the British Army as Captain Harry Wales, has qualified as an Apache aircraft commander|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prince-harry-qualifies-as-apache-commander|work=UK Government|access-date=23 July 2013|date=8 July 2013|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724044909/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prince-harry-qualifies-as-apache-commander|url-status=live}}</ref> Harry compared operating the Apache's weapons systems in Afghanistan to playing video games.<ref name="Guardian-TJan13">{{cite news |date=22 January 2013 |title=Taliban retaliate after Prince Harry compares fighting to a video game |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/22/afghanistan-taliban-response-prince-harry |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922033308/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/22/afghanistan-taliban-response-prince-harry |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/9818460/Prince-Harry-driving-wedge-between-forces-and-Afghan-locals.html|title=Prince Harry 'driving wedge between forces and Afghan locals'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 January 2013|accessdate=7 December 2023|first=Rob|last=Crilly|url-access=subscription|archive-date=20 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520092559/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/9818460/Prince-Harry-driving-wedge-between-forces-and-Afghan-locals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harry later revealed in his 2023 memoir ''[[Spare (memoir)|Spare]]'' that he flew on six missions that resulted in him killing 25 Taliban members, writing that he felt he was trained to not view them as "people" but instead as "chess pieces" that had been taken off the board. He added that "It's not a number that gave me any satisfaction. But neither was it a number that made me feel ashamed."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-spare-royal-afghanistan-b2256702.html|title=Prince Harry says he killed 25 people in Afghanistan during tour of duty|work=The Independent|first=Jane|last=Dalton|date=5 January 2023|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105151521/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-spare-royal-afghanistan-b2256702.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the publishing of Harry's claims, [[Pen Farthing]], a British former [[Royal Marines]] commando and founder of the [[Nowzad Dogs]] charity, was evacuated from Kabul on 6 January 2023 to avoid "potential reprisal attacks on ex-forces people".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/pen-farthing-kabul-evacuation-prince-harry-b2258013.html|title=Pen Farthing 'evacuated from Kabul' over fears Prince Harry confessions could invite 'reprisal attacks'|work=The Independent|first=Emily|last=Atkinson|date=7 January 2023|access-date=7 January 2023|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108002814/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/pen-farthing-kabul-evacuation-prince-harry-b2258013.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/pen-farthing-prince-harry-book-badly-judged-taliban-spare/|title=Pen Farthing slams Prince Harry book as "badly judged" as he claims he must now leave Kabul for fear of reprisals|work=LBC|first=Adam|last=Solomons|date=7 January 2023|access-date=7 January 2023|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107192656/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/pen-farthing-prince-harry-book-badly-judged-taliban-spare/|url-status=live}}</ref> Harry's revelations prompted backlash from both Taliban members and British politicians and military figures.<ref>{{multiref|{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-spare-afghanistan-book-b2256980.html|title='How stupid can you be?' Harry accused of putting family in danger after claiming 25 kills in Afghanistan|work=The Independent|first=Jane|last=Dalton|date=5 January 2023|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106003328/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-spare-afghanistan-book-b2256980.html|url-status=live}};|{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-afghanistan-taliban-spare-b2257369.html|title=Taliban taunts 'big mouth loser' Prince Harry after he claims 25 kills in Afghanistan|work=The Independent|first=Eleanor|last=Noyce|date=6 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106142358/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-harry-afghanistan-taliban-spare-b2257369.html|url-status=live}};|{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/6/taliban-decries-prince-harry-over-comment-on-afghan-killings|title=Taliban leader accuses Prince Harry of killing innocent Afghans|work=Al Jazeera|date=6 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106180253/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/6/taliban-decries-prince-harry-over-comment-on-afghan-killings|url-status=live}};|{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-afghanistan-kills-spare-b2257285.html|title=Prince Harry has 'turned against military family' by revealing Afghanistan kills, ex-colonel says|work=The Independent|first=Rebecca|last=Speare-Cole|date=6 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106120809/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-afghanistan-kills-spare-b2257285.html|url-status=live}};|{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/taliban-lord-royal-navy-admiral-islamic-state-b2258031.html|title=Harry accused of making Invictus Games a terrorist target with Taliban claims|work=The Independent|first=Alana|last=Calvert|date=8 January 2022|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108025428/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/taliban-lord-royal-navy-admiral-islamic-state-b2258031.html|url-status=live}};|{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/06/prince-harry-accused-putting-serving-soldiers-danger-revealing/|title=Prince Harry accused of 'betraying the military' and endangering serving soldiers after claiming to have killed 25 Taliban fighters|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Danielle|last=Sheridan|date=6 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023|url-access=subscription|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106202456/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/06/prince-harry-accused-putting-serving-soldiers-danger-revealing/|url-status=live}}}}</ref>