Harry kills Taliban chief
Hero prince in missile strike on commander
Hero ... Prince Harry
Published: 10 hrs ago
PRINCE Harry has killed his first Taliban commander, The Sun can reveal.
The 28-year-old gunship co-pilot was called on to unleash a missile strike to eliminate a senior terror leader.Harry has proved a massive hit with comrades in Helmand, Afghanistan, who have nicknamed him Big H.
A defence insider said: "Big H is a legend.
“We were on patrol and the Apache helicopters were called in. We heard this posh voice come over the radio and knew it was Big H. They were tracking a Taliban leader — he was commander level.
At controls ... Harry is front-seat co-pilot in vital chopper missions
The Sun understands the decisive strike occurred in late October during a partnered patrol with Afghan troops hunting the Taliban chief.
Gunship co-pilot Harry is on tour in Helmand and has been flying daily combat missions helping "troops in contact" — the code given when ground forces are engaged by enemy fighters.
And 28-year-old Captain Wales has become a hugely popular figure with Our Boys. Our source added: "I met him in the cookhouse.
High flier ... Apache co-pilot Harry is on second tour in Afghanistan
"He's like a normal squaddie. All the guys in Afghan have so much respect for him and love him.
"Big H is a legend, he's been out in Afghan and he's doing the business. All the guys love him — he's Big H. "He likes a drink and a laugh and he's one of the lads."
News of the strike proves Harry is no passenger on the front line.
And he is not immune from the risk of being shot down on the deadly missions. Dad Prince Charles spoke of his anxiety for his soldier son at The Sun's Military Awards — watched by millions on ITV.
Charles, 64 — also dad to Harry's elder brother William — said: "The younger one is at this moment in Afghanistan. Fortunately, he rings me every now and then.
History
"And from time to time I've even persuaded him to write me a letter."Because, I keep saying, if you write me a letter and not just an email or a text or something, in 30 years' time or 40 years' time that will be interesting history."
"I just make this point because I really do understand the worry of service families when their loved ones are away serving in somewhere like Afghanistan. It's almost easier for those serving away than for those left behind because you worry all the time.
"So I do appreciate the extraordinary resilience and the unbelievable support provided by the families back here who encourage and remind their loved ones that they are there for them, despite what they are having to put up with."
Nickname ... Prince is known as Big H by Helmand comrades
The prince always promised to be a crack shot — having been crowned his class's Top Gun pilot after 18 months' rigorous training. The Royal passed the course in February and was handed the Best Co-Pilot Gunner gong at a glittering dinner with comrades.
Highly skilled ... prince and a pal check 30mm cannon on helicopter
And now he has been firing the same thing in Helmand.
Harry is a front seat co-pilot, which means he is the mission controller and operates the craft's main weapons.
His pal in the back seat is the Apache's pilot, under the command of the mission controller, tasked with manoeuvring the craft. Apaches are among the world's most sophisticated and deadly helicopters and have terrorised the Taliban for the last five years.
They call them "mosquitoes" because of their unique sound.
Brave ... prince has been flying daily combat missions
Andrew, 52, who served for more than 20 years as a Royal Naval officer, flew as a second pilot in Sea King helicopters in the 1982 Falklands War. He was following in the footsteps of his father Prince Philip, who saw active service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War As an 18-year-old princess, Queen Elizabeth also served in uniform during World War Two.
In February 1945, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a driver and mechanic.
The last British sovereign to see action in battle was the Queen's father, George VI.
MYVIEW
By DAVID WILLETTS, Deputy Defence Editor
IT'S no surprise Prince Harry is seeing action during this deployment — he's been desperate to get back into the fray since his last tour was so unceremoniously cut short.And it should be no surprise the way he is mixing with his fellow soldiers. Their affection for him is genuine.
Harry's no passenger in Helmand. He's a vital cog in the machine of war, turning Afghanistan from a terrorists' haven to a safe home for ordinary Afghans.
Harry is a natural pilot and is doing what Apache aces have been doing in Afghanistan for years. His privileged background counts for nothing there, it's all about getting the job done.
He's clearly doing a brilliant job, just like all his Apache squadron comrades. And if he's doing a good job it means he's making a difference for Our Boys and Girls on the ground, and for locals.
Harry is doing so at great personal risk — he doesn't get special protection in the skies over Helmand because he's a member of the Royal family.
When he returns he will have cemented a lasting reputation — not as a playboy prince, but as a hardened veteran of a bloody conflict who played a vital and dangerous role.
