Prince Harry is not being targeted for a third tour of duty in Afghanistan according to a new report. Just two days after the third-in-line to the throne returned from a 20-week deployment on the front lines, the Military of Defense says it's doubtful he'll see combat like that again. "There are five Apache squadrons and because Prince Harry’s squadron has just returned, it would not be due to go back for another 20 months, by which time (British) combat troops will have pulled out," a military source is quoted as telling the Telegraph Thursday.
The report comes on the heels of a previous claim which stated that there was the possibility Prince Harry could return to Afghanistan for a third tour in 2014. That source claimed the Apache helicopter pilot may be needed to provide protection to ground troops as they hand over local control to Afghans.
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Now in a Jan., 24 statement the MoD has confirmed Captain Wales, as she's called in the military, is not being targeted for a return to Afghanistan. “It’s highly unlikely that he will return for any other reason, though it is theoretically possible that he could be asked to go back if another co-pilot falls ill or due to other unforeseen circumstances. You can never say never," the insider reveals.
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Prince Harry has already served two tours in Afghanistan -- although his first was cut short after details of his mission were leaked.
Following his return to the UK on Wednesday, Jan., 23, it's expected Prince Harry will lay low for a few weeks before picking up royal duties again.
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