Thursday, February 22, 2007

Update on Prince Harry

Earlier speculations have now been confirmed, Prince Harry will be headed to Iraq later this year. Via CNN - Iraq tank command for Prince Harry
Britain's Prince Harry will be sent to Iraq to command a tank unit, the Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday.

Harry -- third in line to the throne -- is expected to be deployed with his Royals and Blues regiment near the southern city of Basra.

[. . .]

Clarence House, which speaks on behalf of the prince, and the Ministry of Defense said that the prince would carry out a "normal troop commander's role."

In a joint statement, they said: "We can confirm today that Prince Harry will deploy to Iraq later this year in command of a troop from 'A Squadron' of the Household Cavalry Regiment.

"Whilst in Iraq Cornet Wales (Harry's regimental title) will carry out a normal troop commander's role, involving leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armored reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three.
It is interesting that his deployment seems to coincide with British troop reductions in the area. However, just the fact that he wants to fight and has rejected the idea of preferential treatment says a lot about his character. I know that British Royals are expected to serve in the military, but I feel like Harry going beyond the minimum that is expected of him. At least that is the impression that I get from the stories I've read.

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