Prince Harry

PRINCE Harry has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after a rigorous 18 months of training at Wattisham Airfield.

And the 28-year-old scooped a prize in the process for his shooting skills as he received the best co-pilot gunner award.

He was presented with the gong - a polished 30mm round from an Apache canon mounted on a stand - at a special dinner at Wattisham on Tuesday evening.

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

Apache Force Commander Colonel Neale Moss congratulated the prince and more 20 other students who completed the course.

He told them: “The apache course is extremely challenging, teaching and testing students in their flying skills, decision-making and mental agility on exercise all over the country and abroad.

“They are assessed continually to ensure that they are up to the challenge of operating one of the most sophisticated attack helicopters in the world.

“This requires composure, dedication and hard work and I congratulate all of the students as they go forward to join an operational squadron and continue to learn more in their aviation careers.”