Sex change confirmed for RAF officer at same base as Prince

A helicopter pilot stationed at the same RAF base as Prince William is to undergo a sex change.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Flight Lieutenant Ian Holdom, 29, who flies with the Search and Rescue Force (Sarf) wants to become a woman and use the name Ayla.

An MoD spokesman stressed the officer's sex change plans are not an issue for the service – but doing the job is.

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William is training to becoming a helicopter with Sarf and is using the same officer's mess at RAF Valley on Anglesey, North Wales, as Flt Lt Holdom but it is not known if they have met.

The MoD spokesman said the 29-year-old is a Sea King helicopter co-pilot while the Prince will not complete his studies until September, so there is no prospect of the two flying together in the near future.

One newspaper has reported that Flt Lt Holdom told friends he had been diagnosed with gender dysmorphia and expected to become a woman within a year.

The second-in-line to the throne will stay at RAF Valley if he successfully completes his military training, starting operational work as a co-pilot.

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The spokesman said: "This is no big deal for the RAF, or the services in general for that matter, whether you are talking about trans-gender or homosexuality. All we have to deal with is can that person do the job, can Ian fly as a co-pilot in the search and rescue?

"All the armed forces are a reflection of society, our society is diverse and we're diverse, we welcome that."

Flt Lt Wales, 27, can expect to be promoted to captain and command helicopters in future years, but how quickly will depend on his ability and performance.

William could find himself flying rescue missions to Northern Ireland as RAF Valley in North Wales routinely responds to calls from Ulster.