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Prince Harry, A One-Man 'Surge'

Posted: Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:55 AM by Countdown

It's official, Prince Harry, third-in-line to the British throne, will be deployed to Iraq, the Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

His regiment is expected to deploy to Iraq this spring, and he could become the first royal to see combat since his uncle, Prince Andrew, served in the Falklands war against Argentina in 1982.

But as the British actually begin to withdraw some troops from the region, Prince Harry will represent a sort of one-man "surge", arriving with his own personal security team assigned to protect him from possible kidnappings or worse.
From the Evening Standard:

Sources say a team of SAS men will be on stand-by to shadow the prince - ready to intervene if necessary. A member of the special forces said: "A team has been preparing for this announcement.

"The prince himself may not even be aware of it. He will not be stopped from fulfilling his full military role. But it would be a dereliction of duty for military chiefs not to be prepared for the worst and hand the insurgents a chance to make a devastating impact.

"Troop Commander Wales", as he is known to his colleagues, has expressed his desire to serve alongside his comrades in Iraq, saying that there was “no way” he was going to undergo rigorous training and then stay away from the battlefield.

By all accounts, the Prince has put a greater priority on serving his country than on his own personal safety.

And while questions arise as to whether this story played at all into Tony Blair's motivation to begin de-escalation... it appears there can be no question about the character of this brave young man.


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Comments

Not saying the UK is perfect, but how about a Royal Family that is eager to lead from the front. OooRah!

HMBabb, Rowland Heights, CA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:42 PM)

I find it heartening that finally one of the upper crust of the world's elite will go to Iraq. We in the U,S. are not as fortunate to have our elite's sons and daughters go. There are some exceptions of course. Our two prime leaders children though are too busy having babies out of wedlock with our lesbian partner and creating girls gone wild shoots.

Mark Dougherty (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:49 PM)

Good form Prince Harry!

H. Houpis (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:49 PM)

Good for him! If only a few of our Senators, Congressmen did the same.

Graham Weston, San Antonio, Tx (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:50 PM)

Could this be a political move? Could he be preparing himself for a future run at PM?

JST (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:04 PM)

Prince Harry is the "Wallace Simpson" diversion story that the Brits have planted... and timed perfectly to give cover to the real reasons they're leaving Iraq. I think it is to tell the American Administration they will NOT support the attack on Iran... which will trigger a world wide oil embargo.... a "Western" embargo. To say the very least....

Cynthia Bay, Vancouver, Wash (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:19 PM)

Rock N' Roll Your Highness!!!

Gator (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:24 PM)

Three cheers for Prince Harry! You're a brave young man! Now that England is sending one of their princes to fight this war, when will America send one of ours? President Bush has two college educated & age eligable daughters - either could serve as a young lieutenant in ANY one of the 5 services; or is the burden of fighting the "global war on terror" going to remain on the backs of America's lower & middle class citizens? When will the children of this nations CEO's, elite, Senators, Congressmen et. al. STEP UP and shoulder some of the fighting in Iraq? Every week, America's so called "elite" are center stage for our tabloid media; we see them fighting, drinking to excess, vomiting, crying and generally acting no better than a troop of baboons. I am disgusted that, during press meetings,our President chuckles and chortles about his foreign policy and Iraq mis-steps; all the while he does NOTHING to ensure the burden is evenly distributed throughout ALL socio-economic classes of this country's families. Not that I would ever wish tragedy upon anyone but, we shall never see a Lohan, a Hilton, a Trump, most U.S. Senators and many U.S. Congressman weeping graveside as their children's flag draped coffins are lowered into the earth - that burden falls on OUR shoulders! -A MSGT Veteran

sean garrett (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:25 PM)

I want to know when President Bush's daughters will start to show the same maturity as Her Royal Highness's youngest son has. The President's family have not sacrificed one thing so the President can avenge the assassination attempt on his father, President George H.W. Bush, while he was visiting Kuwait in 1993. Mr. President, when are you going to send your daugthers off to war? You are so good about sending other families children to die for you and your family's honor, how about reciprocating. This is your personal war, not the United States.

Donna A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:31 PM)

While the Prince is to be commended on his courage and common sense - it makes little sense to train him for combat duty and then refuse to send him into a combat zone (which appears to be what they have done with his elder brother) - don't you wonder why the media is advertising to the insurgents exactly who he is, where he's going to be, and the level of protection he will have? It seems to me that his greatest chance of safey might lie in some semblance of anonymity, sadly lost now. I truly hope the media, in its zeal, hasn't endangered a second generation.....

TLC (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:42 PM)

Regardless of occassional missteps while growing up Royal, those folks always impress me when they willing step forward to join their chaps for Queen and country. Keep in mind that notable fellows with powerful connections on our side of the pond have done the same more often that we acknowledge.

Don Fender (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:42 PM)

"No question about the character of this young man" is right! It's awesome to hear brave men like Prince Harry make duty and responsibility more than just words. Godspeed Prince Harry!!!

Michael W. Michelsen, Jr., Riverside, California (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:53 PM)

Good to see the prince do his bit. Unlike the young adults of American elites who have "other priorities".

George Roche, Elliottsburg, PA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:08 PM)

What concern for his fellow soldiers, you can have a company of men around you and still get hurt. His bravery and sense of duty to his comrades will not go unnoticed. If the world were made up of more men like him with integrity and commitment we would not have the problems we have today.

Sam Fugazzotto Carol Stream IL. (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:24 PM)

Is this the same strong character Prince Harry that got into drunken brawls with photographers and dressed up like a Nazi for a party? The British royals are the world's most expensive welfare family and they send off princes to war occasionally as PR to to help keep a position that went out of style with the installation of modern democracy.

ed (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:27 PM)

It's good to see one of the rich and powerful going into the thick of the fight, even if it's not an American. Too much of the sacrifice is being made by the lower classes. Kerry was right, though his comment about getting stuck in the military was bound to backfire.

Pete Bogs, Hillsborough, FL (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:31 PM)

Good grief. I recall a similar "royal" going to war in the Falkand Islands. Another fake war. Like Prince Harry is going to actually fight anything. Please! They won't put him anywhere that he may even have a remote chance of getting hurt.

OsamaBinHiding, Cave, Afghanistan (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:32 PM)

At least one Senator has his son in Iraq. Webb. Even better, he has been against the war from the start, but his kid went anyway.

JD Walsh (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:44 PM)

He won't see any or be involved in any actual combat, guranteed.

RE Edwardsville, Al (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:55 PM)

There are plenty of brave men and women on this side of the pond whose character should be celebrated along with Harry's character. Are our servicemembers, volunteers all, any less noble than Harry? I think not.

PJ Cusack, Atlantic Highlands, NJ (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:59 PM)

C,mon folks. Would you really want one of the Bush daughters going to Iraq. Get off their backs. Laura Bush is cool but the girls can't help it if Bush is their father. They made their choices in life as has Prince Harry. Good for him. I respect him for his decision. And no contingent of personal body guards will be able to protect the Prince from car bombs, mortar attacks, snipers and the like. So he will be in harms way. I'm sure he will not be holed up in the Basra Hyatt while his friends and troops do their patrols. Based on his history, sounds like a kid that would be at the front of the Light Brigade if given the chance. I like his spirit and his attitude. We have many many fine young men and women over in Iraq from the USA with the same spirit and attitude. They just don't happen to be from the famous or elite. I salute them all. And I would bet my bottom dollar that if Prince Harry were to meet some of these fine young Americans while over in Iraq, and the press left them alone, he appears to be the kind of kid that would shun the attention he gets and would make friends quite easily with our sons and daughters from small town and inner city America.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Alabama ........................................... (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 4:21 PM)

I admire his determination to be "one of the guys", but his birthright precludes that option, and his presence in Iraq will put his "mates" lives at undue risk. Harry, if you really want to honor your commitment to your fellow armed service members, do not get involved in Mr. Blair's folly. Now, should the time come that a stand is necessary on the shores of England, then take up the sword, and defend Queen, God, and Country with everything you have, taking your rightful place leading your countrymen, not hiding behind them.

Steve Sallis, San Diego, CA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 4:49 PM)

Steve Sallis: What you fail to recognize is that someone of Harry's age, as with most of our US Troops, and British Troops, do their duty (even in unpopular wars or conflicts) because of their loyalty and commitment to their buddies in the service. When Harry insists he will go to Iraq he was not insisitng as much for God, Queen and Country, as he was for his buddies that he trained with and will lead. Service personnel who sign up for their 2nd and 3rd tours of duty don't do so out of an unfledging commitment to their President or Prime Minister. They do so out of an unfledging commitment to the fellow soldiers, so that they can return and watch the backs of their friends. If Harry were to let those with whom he trained go without him he would never (in his mind) be able to let it down. And his friends would rather have him there with them, even if it places them on a higher level of danger, because the comraderie that has developed between these young men is a bond you cannot argue with, break or replace.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:11 PM)

Good for him in wanting to serve his country. However, I do hope he is sober when he arrives in Iraq to command his regiment.

fma, Atlantic Highlands, NJ (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:38 PM)

why send in harry now that the brits are leaving? it's all for show. all of his bodyguards are going. too bad all of our young soldiers don't have the same option.

V.B., San Luis Obispo, CA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:57 PM)

Some ******* requested he arrive sober (fma) What a stupid thing to say. Damn it man only a fool fights a war sober . I am proud of him and can only lament that our own privileged children can't either follow or open their spoiled mouths in protest.Consider if you will the war record of our President and Vice.Bless his heart He makes me proud of my heritage.

Mike Farmer (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:26 PM)

Hooray for Prince Harry! Wish we had a provision that any member of Congress who approves letting the President send us to war has to guarantee that one of their immediate family members is required to serve in the war. The requirement should also apply to any member of the Administration who supports the President's action and certainly the President himself. And any radio/TV talking head who calls anyone a coward because of their position against the war either be drafted or forced to send one of their immediate family members to fight.(Just in case you are wondering I have a granddaughter there and a grandson who has been there three times.)Don't you dare use the term "Cut and Run" unless you have an immediate family member over there fighting or you have already been there yourself. You don't have the moral authority to use such a term. Let's let more of the experts follow the example of Prince Harry.

Morris Matson Fort Worth, TX (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:38 PM)

Way to go Prince Harry, you are a brave young man, your mother would be very proud of you.

Julie Capot Blanc, Fort Liard, NT, Canada (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:44 PM)

John Mccain's sons are serving in Iraq right now, one in the Navy(pilot?), the other in the Army(al-anbar?).

McCain for president (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:46 PM)

When was the last time we saw a Kennedy put on any kind of a uniform since WWII? And while the front lines are missing the +daughters+ of the President Bush, where are the +sons+ of the Pelosis, the Bidens, the Jesse Jacksons, the Harry Reids, etc. Prince Harry got into a "drunken brawl", and that's a bad thing? (In WWII, our stockades were filled with GI's who had gotten into a drunken brawl. If a guy won't throw a punch, he probably won't fire his weapon in combat, either.) Do not disparge the courage of Prince Andrew in the Falklands Island War. As Naval helicopter pilot, his job was to protect his aircraft carrier by flying his chopper alongside and - get this - block any incoming Argentine Exocet missile. Talk about guts!

USAR LTC/ex Salt Lake PD cop, Charlottesville, VA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:46 PM)

This is so much bunk. The young man will be as safe in Iraq as he would be in London. It's all pomp and circumstance. I witnessed the same show in Da Nang as a 20 year old Marine in 1968 when Captain Charles Rob, LBJ's son-in-law, so called "did his Vietnam duties." He was just there to build a resume so he someday could be elected senator in Virginia. Can't believe the people in Virginia were that naive to actually fall for that gimmick. There was a virtual army assigned to cover him 24 hours a day so he wasn't harmed. These celebrities within a war zone cause much more harm to the regular fighting troops than good.

Dave Hallquist, Melbourne, FL (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:09 PM)

Believe me, the only combat Harry will see is on CNN on his 50 inch Plasma TV at the Basra Hyatt. This is just a gimmick so Harry can build his resume at the expense of actual fighting men and women. The sad part is people actually fall for this joke. Not really surprising though. Just look at who they put back in the White House in 2004.

David, Melbourne, Florida (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:18 PM)

Mr. Sallis, C A, from Tuscaloosa is correct 100%. I am currentyly in the service and have done so not out of the common reasoning of patriotism or support of our President's policies, but out of loyalty to my friends and others. I have over 14 years in now and the young Prince is showing exactly the comraderie and leadership (since he is an officer in his unit) that unites and drives those under and around him. Then best part of the service is not following the orders of distant leaders who rarely meet anyone but senior leadership, not the pagentry we display at parades or inspections, not even getting to play with the real versions of the toys we had as kids. ( I say this with a smirk by the way) The best part is knowing that no matter the age, rank,race or religion. Everyone in the unit has each others back, and you have thiers. There is a level of security and reassurance that you have to have been through to udnerstand.

MD Virginia (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 10:46 AM)

Ok I think there is going to be PR involved in all this but Its the thought That counts,yes we all know he is going to be protected but the fact of the matter is that he is there making a statement,a different.Good luck Prince Harry

Joycelyne,St.Lucia,Caribbean (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 9:28 AM)

i think he should go like a normal solider he has his own little "surge" of men to protect him. what the hell is that my brother is over there and guess what it everyone protect each other not everyone protect one person so screw harry he should be fighting with his team not with his security guards

robbie (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:38 AM)

yes bush send your daughters there, you started this and for that innocent families lost LOVES ONES now its time for you to do something.Whats so special about your daughters if Prince Harry can go to Iraq so should YOUR Daughters.....

mother of 3 Fond du lac,WI (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:01 PM)

Please let us all stop making side comments regarding Prince Harry's trip to Iraq. The bottom line is he's there to represent his country just like any other soldiers. As a nation or in the whole world in general, we should all be united with the same mission and vision. That is to attain "Peace and Unity" in the entire human race. We should give Prince Harry around of a plause for his gesture. Forget whatever hidden political agendas thay your wild imagination can think about. At this point in time, we're in the hight of crisis, we shouldn't entertain or allow any negative thoughts.

Ruth Evaristo, Philippines (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:06 PM)

Maybe Bush should be deployed...

cathy (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:21 PM)

I think Bush should set a good example like the queen did, he should send his two of daughters to fight his war.

Bibi Washington dc (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:41 PM)

Even if the "Prince" is ready and willing to fight in the Iraq warzone, this is nothing more than a PR ploy to ensure Britain's supposed honor and credibility in the Iraq War before they begin preparations to pull their forces out. A last ditch show of prestige if you will.

Derek, Steven's Point, (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:54 PM)

As a nation, we should all be united with the same mission and vision. That is "Peace & Unity". Way to go Prince Harry. May peace be with you and your troops. Not just to fight but to bring peace. And may that peace and unity be yours and your troops. Pray that only God will unite his peace with you and your troops to Iraq. Good Luck and God Bless

Noella Seru, Port Vila, Vanuatu (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:18 PM)

I have every confidence in Prince Harry. I served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. Bill Clinton and John Dean did not serve our country!

Dan, Grants Pass, Oregon (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 12:45 AM)

I'm an Asian but after what Mr. Bush' error in judgement if that can be called, why not send his daughters or Mr. Cheney's or any of his nephews and nieces to serve his war of stupidity!I pity the families that lost their kin because of the Republicans' arrogance and greed in power.

Rose Cobar, Philipines (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 1:18 AM)

HaHa looks likes most of you believed that rumour about Harry looks like it was a MAJOR wind up

john oneill glasgow scotland (Sent Wednesday, May 16, 2007 8:56 PM)



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