MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Prince William “determined” to be posted in Falkland, says London press

Prince William

Britain's Prince William is apparently battling to serve in the Falkland Islands with his Royal Air Force (RAF) search and rescue squadron. The pilot Prince is determined to fly alongside colleagues when they are sent to the UK outpost within the next two years.

However, RAF chiefs have security concerns and are worried that William's involvement would inflame a delicate political situation.

On Friday Argentine President Cristina Kirchner slammed the UK over the Falklands, making a new claim for the disputed islands.

The Prince, a flight lieutenant, graduated this month as an RAF search and rescue pilot. He can now co-pilot Sea King helicopters as part of a four-man crew based at RAF Valley in Anglesey.

“William is adamant he wants to join his squadron when they are seconded to the Falklands” News of the World quoted an insider as saying.
“He's let it be known that there is no reason why he shouldn't join his colleagues. But in the end it's not his call.
”It's incredibly sensitive at the moment, especially given the president's comments,” the insider added.

William, 28, has now accepted he will be unable to serve on the frontline like his brother Harry did in Afghanistan. But he feels the Falklands posting would still show he is prepared to make a valuable contribution.

And he would be following in the wake of his uncle, Prince Andrew, who flew during the conflict with Argentina in 1982.