In this image from video, Britain’s Prince Harry is shown an Apache helicopter by a member of his squadron, obscured behind, (name not provided) at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, Friday Sept. 7, 2012. AP/TV Pool
LONDON— Britain’s defense secretary says Prince Harry got extra protection when the Taliban attacked his base in Afghanistan last Friday.
Philip Hammond says the prince, a helicopter pilot, was moved to a secure position once it was clear that the perimeter of Camp Bastion had been breached.
In an interview with the BBC Monday night, Hammond said: “He is serving there as an ordinary officer but clearly there are additional security arrangements in place that recognize that he could be a target himself specifically as a result of who he is.”
Two U.S. Marines were killed and six planes were destroyed. The Taliban said the attack was staged to avenge a film that insulted Islam and because Harry is serving at the base.