Britain's Prince Harry has become a fully operational Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot.

The 27-year-old royal has successfully completed 18 months of intensive training and was awarded the prize for being best Co-Pilot Gunner during a dinner last night (08.02.12) to mark the end of the course.

Colonel Neale Moss, Commander of the Attack Helicopter Force at RAF Wattisham, said of Harry's training: "The Apache course is extremely challenging teaching and testing students in their flying skills, decision making and mental agility on exercise 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."

Harry has now attained Limited Combat Ready status, and will be assigned to 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps within 16 Air Assault Brigade, where he will gain wider experience flying Apaches and take part in exercises in the United Kingdom.

Harry - who spent 10 weeks on the frontline in Afghanistan at the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008 - is also likely to be sent back to the war-torn country to fight against the Taliban and could be re-deployed as early as this autumn.