Award for Harry the Apache pilot

Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot and scooped a prize for his shooting skills – paving the way for a possible return to war-torn Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence ann-ounced that the prince was presented with the best co-pilot gunner award during a dinner held last night to mark the end of 18 months of rigorous training for him and his fellow military pilots.

The Prince – a Captain with the Army Air Corps – is keen to return to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty after his first tour was cut short in 2008 – and believes flying Apaches gives him the best opportunity.

He received his award – a polished 30mm round from an Apache cannon mounted on a stand – at the dinner held at Wattisham Air Station, near Ipswich, Suffolk, where he has been training.

The Prince has made no secret of his desire to return to frontline operations in Afghanistan. He served for 10 weeks in the country as a forward air controller in 2007-08, directing jets dropping bombs on Taliban positions in Helmand province.

St James’s Palace has always stressed that the issue of Prince Harry deploying on operations is a “matter for the Ministry of Defence chain of command”.