Prince Harry tells US of wish to go back to Helmand

The Royal said he would love to be deployed back to the country where he first saw action for 10 weeks during 2007-08 – but he acknowledged obstacles may prevent him from fighting with UK forces.

Harry, who will soon begin training to become an Apache helicopter pilot, spoke about his desire to "serve my country" during an interview for yesterday's Good Morning America television programme.

He said: "I would love to go back, I really would. As long as my military career allows it and politically it's allowed, then I will serve my country as any other soldier.

The Prince added: "At the end of the day you train for war, it's as simple as that. If we could be at peace then fantastic but if we're at war then you want to be with your brothers in arms.

"You train for a reason and you want to be there, you want to help your buddies left and right of you."

Lieutenant Wales served in Helmand Province as a forward air controller directing air strikes and has made no secret of his wish to go back there.

The Prince changed the direction of his military career and became an Army pilot to increase his chances of being re-deployed to the country.

Harry's eight-month course starts next month at the Army Air Corps flying school at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

He will then spend as long again with an Apache regiment based at Wattisham in Suffolk.

UK forces in Afghanistan have used Apaches to hunt and kill Taliban fighters, gather intelligence and provide cover for larger Chinook helicopters transporting troops and supplies.

Harry spent the weekend in New York promoting closer links between forces charities in the US and UK and attended events celebrating the efforts of wounded Americans trying to rebuild their lives.

He said: "The most important thing for me to be here is for me to cement that bond between your side and our side. And so that we can essentially learn from each other because there would be nothing worse than in five years to come to find out that one side is ...not wrong, but not learning from the other side.

"When we fight together and get wounded together after that we sort of get split two separate ways and I just would love to see, and I'm sure you and everyone would like to see, both sides of the Atlantic learning from each other and working together."