News
Prince Harry arrives in the United States to complete his Apache Helicopter training
7th October 2011
Prince Harry arrived in the United States on Thursday evening (local time) to undertake the final training exercise of his Apache Helicopter Conversion to Role Course.
In December 2008, Prince Harry passed his Army Air Corps ‘Grading’ and Pilot’s Selection Board interview to begin training to become an Army Air Corps Pilot in January 2009. On successful completion of that Army Pilots Course, The Prince was selected to train on the Apache Attack Helicopter.
Until The Prince completes his Apache training, he formally remains a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on attachment to the Army Air Corps
Prince Harry, who is known as Captain Wales in the military, will take part in Exercise Crimson Eagle, which is split between Naval Air Facility El Centro in California and Gila Bend Auxiliary Air Force Base in Arizona and will last approximately two months.
The exercise is a routine element of the Apache Conversion to Role Course that Prince Harry has been undertaking since April 2011.
Prince Harry’s training in the US starts at El Centro, where the focus is on Aviation Environmental Training and Judgemental training during various tactical scenarios.
Following El Centro, The Prince will be based at Gila Bend, where he will undertake live fire exercises on the Barry M Goldwater Air Force Range complex. The live firing phase of the exercise is the final assessment in weapons handling and combines months of intensive training in the simulator and aircraft to ensure pilots achieve their live firing qualifications.
Upon completion of Exercise Crimson Eagle, which marks the end of the Apache Conversion to Role Course, Prince Harry will return to the UK as a fully trained Apache Pilot, where he will then be assigned to one of the Apache Squadrons within 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Further information
Prince Harry's Military Career