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News has leaked today that the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry, the youngest son of the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and the man third in line to the British throne has been serving on the front lines in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and is responsible for coordinating air support and aviation across the area, calling in fast jets to drop 500lb bombs on enemy positions.

Following a blackout of all media reports on the Prince’s deployment in the UK, it was the US based Drudge Report that first, who with lack of care for the Prince and his pals on the front line, released the news. They should think themselves lucky they don’t still behead traitors in England!

The chief of the general staff, Sir Richard Dannatt, who is head of the British army, expressed disappointment over the leak saying, “I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided to run this story without consulting us. This is in stark contrast to the highly responsible attitude that the whole of the UK print and broadcast media, along with a small number overseas, who have entered into an understanding with us over the coverage of Prince Harry on operations.”

The 23 year old Prince flew out to Afghanistan on December 14^th 2007 to begin a planned four-month tour of duty. He has been living and working there in a heavily fortified army base in Helmand province.

It may be argued that Queen Elizabeth II herself, should not have consented to the Prince serving his country. But having trained for years for the job of a soldier, others would argue, why should his Princely status allow him a get out clause when every other man who signed up is out there putting themselves in harms way?

Details of Harry’s deployment were blacked out, with all forms of British media signing up to a reporting embargo but it would appear that the USA media doesn’t adhere to this sensible approach and is quiet willing to put not only the Prince’s life at risk but every other soldier serving in the region, immediately creating a trophy target for the Taliban.

Will an apology be in the offing?

ABB

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