Cornet Wales (Prince Harry)

[parabellum]

In an interview on TV down here a 'military expert' has said that latest intelligence shows that the insurgents have already formed small squads who's sole task it was to 'Get Harry'.

I believe it is fair to say they would have been suicide type operations and would have inflicted many more casualties than just Harry and because they were suicide missions no withdrawal plan would be required.
Harry would just be the catalyst for a very ferocious and deadly assault on his unit that would be out of proportion to the threat they pose to the insurgents.

The decision, in the end, is not just about Harry's safety but about saving what had the potential to be a bloodbath bringing misery on a wide scale.

[Oldandgrey]

Personally I believe that the media have a lot to answer for on this one, maybe they should have not been so quick to splash the fact that he was going in the first place and let him get on with it. Once he had completed his tour then release the story.

[green granite]

Well said Oldandgrey, Bring back the "D" notice I say.

[jayteeto]

Correct decision in my opinion. Could you imagine one of your kids serving next to him?? We would have needed new AT aircraft to cope with the body bags. He would have gone, unlike his RM quitting uncle. An impossible situation for Harry.

[Evening Star]

Originally Posted by Oldandgrey

Personally I believe that the media have a lot to answer for on this one, maybe they should have not been so quick to splash the fact that he was going in the first place and let him get on with it. Once he had completed his tour then release the story.

Just popped up from Jet Blast to get the straight talking take on this, and must I say I thoroughly agree with O&G on this. As one person has already commented, 'the media did everything but give the registration number of his tank [sic]'. I feel sorry for the lad because it seems that his heart is in this job and now he is denied the chance to get on with the job he wants to do.

[A2QFI]

Cornet Wales and news Coverage

Hear Hear Oldandgrey and Evening Star. It is not his choice, he wants to go and his presence has been deemed inappropriate. The media have much to answer for in this. 24 hour rolling news progs full of mindless drivel and uninformed comment fobbed off as news. Don't get me started on Maddy overload - what about the BBCs Alan Johnson, missing for 9 weeks in Gaza?

[TheSmiter]

Lets be fair, lads, who honestly thought it was going to happen?

General Dannatt has made the right decision - one that should have been made a long time ago, like er, when Harry joined up. As many have said, his military career and any related deployments may have worked had the media treated him like a normal soldier, but, with the thirst for 24hr 'news' ( I use the term very loosely) that certainly was never going to happen.

Maybe Harry will now join his brother in the bizarre military job sharing carousel which has been created for Wills from the MoD's bumper book of alternative postings. Whatever!

In all of this fuss about Harry, spare a thought for the poor blighter who will now be parachuted in at short notice to do his job. I guess the Booze and Royals have a vast pool of Troop Commanders on a high state of readiness.

Finally, Hobie,have you received your royalties from the Daily Snail for your contribution to todays edition? Well done mate for being the only Pruner quoted amongst all the Arsers!

[Wiley]

If the world was like Hollywood - which it ain't - we'd find four months down the track that despite the announcement to the contrary, he went - unannounced - did 'is bit, and came home - the way it should have been done in the first place.

But this "ain't" Hollywood, and if the Army tried to pull something like that now, you could bet your next pay cheque that some (insert your favourite epithet) bottom-dweller "journalist" (or REMF) would have it splashed all over the world's media before he took his first shower in country - probably with the grid reference and number of the shower stall and his scheduled "time to ablute" included in the report.

[ExRAFRadar]

And how long do you reckon it would have been before before he appeard in some squadie's YouTube offering taken from his mobile phone if he had gone ?

In the age of video camera's as small as a matchbox I would suggest D notices are long past thier sell by date. Especially in such a chaotic place as Iraq at present.

[South Bound]

Just wonder where it goes from here. Can a young Lt have a career without the opportunity to deploy? Could he be promoted without operational experience?

Really don't see how, and IMHO he should resign his Commission.

Not suggesting this is in any way a lack of moral fibre on his part, rather that he has been put in an impossible position that makes his role fairly pointless. Shame he did not have the opportunity to show what he was made of though, it is good to see the princes working to earn some of the hugely priveleged lifestyle they are condemned to.

[Ballast]

So where in the statement does it say he will not go??

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6663347.stm for the text

Prince Harry will not deploy as a troop leader with his squadron

and

he will not be deploying with his troop

To me it does not say he will not go - it says he will not go with this troop.

I bet he will turn up in a "safe" role.

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Some of you will have access to the defenceintranet and the MoD has made an UNCLAS statement on this matter. For the benefit of those without access, this is lifted direct from the MoD Home Page this morning;

General Dannatt said: "Over the last few weeks I have made a particular point of saying that I would keep under constant review my decision to deploy Prince Harry to Iraq with his Troop. As with any military operation, circumstances do change, and therefore so should decisions, if necessary". "I have decided today that Prince Harry will not deploy as a Troop Leader with his Squadron. I have come to this final decision following a further and wide round of consultation, including a visit to Iraq by myself at the end of last week". "There have been a number of specific threats – some reported and some not reported - which relate directly to Prince Harry as an individual. These threats place not only him but also those around him to a degree of risk that I now deem unacceptable. Now that I have decided that he will not be deploying with his Troop, the risks faced by his Battlegroup are no different to those faced by any other Battlegroup or other of our Servicemen in Iraq". "I have to add that a contributing factor to this increase in threat to Prince Harry has been the widespread knowledge and discussion of his deployment. It is a fact that this close scrutiny has exacerbated the situation and this is something that I wish to avoid in future". "Let me also make quite clear that as a professional soldier, Prince Harry himself will be extremely disappointed. He has proved himself both at Sandhurst and in command of his Troop during their training. I commend him for his determination and his undoubted talent – and I do not say that lightly. His soldiers will miss his leadership in Iraq, although I know his Commanding Officer will provide a highly capable substitute Troop Leader". "In conclusion, two further points: First, I have asked Prince Harry’s Commanding Officer to continue to develop Prince Harry’s professional career in the Army, but I am not prepared to speculate, either now or in the future, on what Prince Harry might be doing over the next few weeks, months and years". "Second, I pay tribute once again to the excellence and commitment of all our Servicemen deployed around the World and I thank them, and their families, for the way that they are doing their duty in the best traditions of the Armed Forces."

The MoD statement goes on to say;

This was a military decision based on a military assessment, taken by CGS. Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street and the Defence Secretary have been informed. Whilst MOD acknowledges that the security situation in Iraq is challenging and demanding for all our troops, this decision was taken as a result of the very specific threat to Prince Harry. This is not the first time that deployment plans for individuals have changed in the light of a specific threat. This does not mean that Prince Harry will never deploy. Both Prince Harry and his elder brother Prince William will continue to play a full role within their regiments, with future overseas deployments considered on a case-by-case basis. Lessons will be learnt from the widespread knowledge of Prince Harry’s deployment. CGS's preference is to say nothing or the absolute minimum about any future deployments of the Princes for reasons of operational security. Although some insurgents might try to paint this decision as a success for them, the reality is that UK operations in support of Iraq's government will continue, and deny them such a high value target. Prince Harry's troop will still deploy, commanded by a suitably qualified individual.

The man acknowledges that the Media have made matters impossible, as has open and loose debate. Whether that includes Pprune, ARRSE, RumRation and Goat (who could take that seriously?) is something we need to think about, I suppose.

[luoto]

And the media got their info Ct Wales planned deployment... direct from H.M.Gs spinmeisters at No.10 DS and MoD I am very reliably informed.

A bit of chaff, you may say, to help, err, steer the news headlines and agenda of the time.

[hobie]

Finally, Hobie,have you received your royalties from the Daily Snail for your contribution to todays edition? Well done mate for being the only Pruner quoted amongst all the Arsers!

Bugger .....

I only get the Sunday Mail ......