Britain's Prince Harry will have a new desk job of organizing commemorative military events after quitting from flying army Apache helicopters, Kensington Palace said on Friday.
During his three years with the Army Air Corps, Captain Wales, as he is known in the military, served in Afghanistan as an Apache co-pilot gunner, Agence France-Presse reported. Kensington Palace said in a statement that 29-year-old Harry "has completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and will now take up a Staff Officer role".
"His responsibilities will include helping to co-ordinate significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army in London," the statement said.
According to AFP, the rank of captain will be retained by Harry, youngest son of heir to the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, and younger brother of Prince William, the palace said.
During a 20-week tour in Afghanistan's Helmand province which ended in January 2013, Harry served as an Apache co-pilot gunner. He was later qualified as a commander in the attack helicopter. Taliban fighters were killed by Harry during his Apache tour and taken "out of the game" by his unit when they targeted British soldiers, AFP reported.
After serving 10 weeks in Helmand from 2007 to early 2008, it was his second tour in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry in the Army Air Corps, praised the fourth in line to the British throne for his service.
"Captain Wales has reached the pinnacle of flying excellence as an Apache pilot, particularly in Afghanistan and, in the process, has proved to be a real inspiration to the many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers who have come to know him so well over the last two years," de la Rue said.
Before the end of 2014, all British combat troops are due to withdraw from Afghanistan, according to AFP.
