London: Prince Harry is set to return to the frontline in Afghanistan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot after completing his training next year, according to a media report.
Harry, the third in the line to the British throne, was hastily withdrawn from a tour of Helmand in 2008 after his presence there was leaked out in media. But, he has often expressed the desire to return to the frontline.
Now, he is set to be granted another tour when his squadron is deployed to Afghanistan next year, by which time he should have completed his Apache pilot training, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Clarence House, the official residence of the royals, said that the Prince would complete his training next year and would then be available for deployment wherever Apaches were needed -- including Afghanistan, the report said.
"It has always been the prince's intention to serve operationally wherever the MoD request of him," a Clarence House spokesman was quoted as saying.
However, the Ministry of Defence declined to make any comment on this development. "We do not comment on the deployment of individual service personnel," said a ministry spokesman.
It is understood that his squadron is being lined up for a return to Afghanistan next year, most likely in late summer.
Rather than serving as a front line junior officer with the Household Cavalry, as he did on his previous tour, the 26-year-old Prince will fly a 40-million-pound AH-64 attack helicopter in operations against insurgents.
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