Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot - and scooped a prize for his shooting skills, Britain's Ministry of Defence has announced.
Harry was presented with the best co-pilot gunner award during a dinner held on Wednesday night to mark the end of 18 months of rigorous training for him and his fellow military pilots.
The prince - a captain in the Army Air Corps - is keen to return to Afghanistan after his first tour of duty was cut short in 2008. He believes flying Apaches gives him the best opportunity.
He received his award - a polished 30mm round from an Apache cannon mounted on a stand - at the dinner at RAF Wattisham, near Ipswich, Suffolk, where he has been training.
Apache Force Commander Colonel Neale Moss congratulated the prince and about 20 other students who completed the course.
He told them: "The Apache course is extremely challenging, teaching and testing students in their flying skills, decision-making and mental agility on exercises all over the country and abroad.
"They are assessed continually to ensure that they are up to the challenge of operating one of the most sophisticated attack helicopters in the world.
"This requires composure, dedication and hard work and I congratulate all of the students as they go forward to join an operational squadron and continue to learn more in their aviation careers."
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