Army's SOS: We need more Apache pilots like Prince Harry for last mission to Helmand

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Prince's helicopter regiment is embarking on final tour of Afghanistan
But the Army Air Corps faces a 40 per cent shortage of senior air crew
Sources say Harry offered to fly again if his unit is deployed under strength
But source close to the prince denied that this is the case

Published: 17:29 EST, 5 April 2014 | Updated: 17:29 EST, 5 April 2014

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Prince Harry in Afghanistan in 2012: The 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC) - the prince's unit - is embarking on a final Afghanistan tour under strength

Prince Harry could be asked to return to frontline duty in Afghanistan due to a shortage of crew to fly Apache helicopters, according to Defence sources.

The 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC) – the regiment Harry joined from the Household Cavalry to fly Apaches – is embarking on a final tour of Afghanistan as the AAC faces a 40 per cent shortage of senior air crew.

Defence sources say Harry, 29, has volunteered to fly again should 3 Regiment AAC be in danger of going to war under-strength.

The Palace refused to comment but a source close to Harry denied this was the case.

The Prince, who started a desk job in London in January arranging ceremonial events, remains qualified as an Apache pilot, having flown sorties against the Taliban in 2012-2013.

He would need only to attend a brief refresher course before being sent back to Camp Bastion for a 12-week stint.

Meanwhile, other shortages in the Armed Forces have triggered a rise in ‘Golden Hello’ one-off payments for personnel to stay in service.

On top of their salaries, military nurses are being offered £20,000 and weapons engineers aboard submarines £50,000 to sign-on for an extra five years.

This rise comes as a report by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body found that some privates in the Army fighting in Afghanistan are earning less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Troops’ pay starts at £17,767 a year and long working hours means they may earn less than the £6.31 an hour NMW for those over 21 and £5.03 an hour for those over 18.

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The report says: ‘It is possible for those on the lowest pay level to be earning below NMW levels if they work over 55 hours per week, for those aged 21 or over, or more than 68 hours per week if they are aged between 18 and 20.

'As the average number of hours worked is much higher for those personnel on overseas operations or at sea, the more time someone spends in these locations the greater the chance of breaching NMW thresholds.’

Crucial tool: An Apache helicopter on a rescue mission in Afghanistan. Harry remains qualified as an Apache pilot. He would need only a brief refresher course before being sent back to Camp Bastion for a 12-week stint

An MoD spokesman said: ‘We have worked hard to ensure that the sacrifices and dedication of our personnel is recognised, which is why they have continued to receive pay rises and also qualify for other benefits including subsidised accommodation, generous non-contributory pensions and substantial periods of paid leave.

'It is therefore entirely misleading to suggest that personnel earn less than the minimum wage.

On the Golden Hello payments, he added: ‘As is common practice among commercial organisations, we use financial retention incentives to ensure we retain essential skills and experience within the Armed Forces.’

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Me, In Europe, 20 minutes ago

Playboy needs a bit of PR

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Hagatha, XDevilX, Greece, 50 minutes ago

Looks like Harry was running for an ice cream truck on first photo. Go Harry Go..

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driffid, Berwick, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago

Do we really need more Apache helicopters like Prince Harry? If there were more like him there would be hundreds of minders looking after him and photo shots would be the only ones making the news. He would be so heavily protected that anywhere within ten miles of the Prince would be the safest place in Afghanistan. The main purpose of his being there other than to satisfy his ego would be to showcase the Royal dynasty, to promote the Royal family. No, we don't need more pilots like Harry we need more real pilots, the type you never hear or read about because they are getting on with it without the hooha.

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Smujsmith, Pig-atop-the-hill, United Kingdom, 2 hours ago

I would put money on Harry going back, should there be a serious shortage. Unlike many "public figures" I suspect the bloke does actually have some guts. I'm damn sure that not one of our 650 MPs would do a minute of extra work without serious extra allowances and expenses.

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UK Down The Drain, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 3 hours ago

The Prince, who started a desk job in London in January arranging ceremonial events, so we spend millions training him to fly gunships and he ends up doing flower arrangements. Typical for a sponging Royal, while other peoples sons and daughters put their lives on line facing an enemy on the ground.

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van man, Falkirk, United Kingdom, 3 hours ago

As much use to the military as a tin of beans, PR exercise with the Royal Family as military personnel, total waste of time and resources, does Harry ever complete a tour anywhere except the Westend nightclubs.

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smell_the_coffee, London, United Kingdom, 4 hours ago

Let's face it, he's like all the other sport billies who are never at work, yet others have to grind it out to cover there absences year in year out. Promoted through sport and certainly not through 'work' ability, something which blights the military continually

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susan 52, liverpool, 4 hours ago

The lawyer who is the so called Minister of Defence should abandon his ill thought out review should think again before it's too late. Listen to the people who know what they are talking about, the Chiefs of Staff are experienced service people NOT politicians with no service at all.

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A Sad Former Tory, London a Region of Europe, United Kingdom, 3 hours ago

I had no idea Hammond was a lawyer - I though he was a sneering, arrogant bean-counter . Yes, I have met him - twice!

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SJ, Cardiff, 5 hours ago

I don't know how they manage without him in Afghanistan. Now he has a desk job arranging events. What a total waste of money his training turned out to be and what a total waste of space he is. Still at least when he's in London he's not missing out on the party scene.

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Ray, Norwich, 5 hours ago

Won¿t that underground bunker where Harry hid out throughout his ¿service¿ in Afghanistan be a bit crowded with forty more like him? Especially if they each have their own squad of SAS bodyguards as he did.