The Bravest Chap in England: Prince Harry is Off to Iraq!

It's been all over the world news, for a few months now: Prince Harry 22, the third in line to the British throne, behind his brother William, is going to Iraq. I still cannot believe it; not that he's going, but that most everyone including the Insurgents knows when and where he is going. Chalk one up for the Military Intelligence, which, by the way some think is a Oxymoron, for dropping the ole' Rugby ball on this one. This young man has to be one of the bravest soldiers in England, not for only going to war, but for going where he is definitely going to be a marked man, and there has been concern that Harry's deployment would make him and his regiment a target in the eyes of terrorists there.

Even though, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced a gradual pullout of British troops. Prince Harry's Blues and Royals Regiment, where he is known as Troop Commander Wales: a Calvary Scout officer in charge of seventeen men and four Scimitar tanks. Is to ship-out sometime in the spring, likely to the Basra area of southern Iraq, where 7,100 British troops currently are deployed, as part of a rotation of several army units. His regiment will serve in the British area of operations, were the Brits have been since the war began. Although we do not hear a lot of info about British operations back here in the States. British troops now will serve in a support role to the Iraqi army and police in the Basra region, but it is still a hot spot for Insurgents and IED's (improvised explosive devices).

Prince Harry is not the only royal to see Combat. The last was his uncle Prince Andrew, who saw action in the Falkland Island campaign, and before that his Grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh was a commander on a Royal Navy vessel in World War Two, where he distinguished himself. The Queen who also trained and served as an Army Driver during the conflict, and her father, Harry's Great-Grandfather King George the fifth saw combat in World War One. British defense expert, Eric Grove said that ,"Harry should serve in a regular fashion. To be held back from normal operational duty would hurt the morale of the rest of the prince's regiment." Grove, director of the Center for International Security and War Studies at the University of Salford in Manchester, said that the British royal family has a tradition of serving in the military and that the British public expects them to serve as their comrades would.

"There is a tradition of the people (from the royal family) who serve in the armed forces of not being protected too much," Grove said. "The Royal Family believes people are expected to do their duty."

Even though, the Royal family is putting on a brave face, Harry's girlfriend: Ms. Chelsy Davy is to travel the world after telling pals: "Haz is off to war." Chelsy, 21, hopes her trip will keep her mind off her fears while cavalryman Harry joins comrades for a dangerous tour of duty. This would leave some to wonder what his Mother would say? The late Princess Diana was, after all, one of the strongest opponents of landmines, in war torn countries around the world, and was one of Britain's greatest voices when it came to peace. However, serving in the Military has been a dream of Harry's ever since a small boy.

Harry, who graduated from Britain's military academy Sandhurst last year, told reporters in September 2005 that he wasn't preparing for a career in the military if he couldn't be sent to combat zones.

"There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," Harry said.

The whole country seems to be behind him on this. But just as we seen with the capture of fifteen British sailors in supposed Iranian waters, and the numerous other captives taken in Iraq, it is an extremely dangerous place for a man in Harry's position. With the kind of propaganda seeking enemy we are fighting, God forbid anything happen to the young Prince. Not only for the above mentioned reasons, but also because he is 22 and still has his whole life ahead of him.

The capture or even death of Prince Harry would be a victory for terrorism. It has also been mentioned, that Harry may have a few SAS (Strategic Air Service) commandos placed in his unit, for his safety. Whatever the British military decide to do doesn't take away the fact that it is a war-zone, and the enemy will know he is there.