Britain's Ministry of Defense says Prince Harry has returned to Afghanistan to fly Apache attack helicopters during a four-month tour of combat duty.

The 27-year-old who is third in line to the British throne looked relaxed, if slightly tired Friday, and gave a thumbs-up after a long journey on a standard troop flight from England.

Capt. Harry Wales, as he is known, wore his combat uniform upon arrival and joined his 100-strong unit _ the 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.

The deployment Friday follows an embarrassing incident in which Internet website published photographs of the prince naked and taking part in a strip billiards game in a Las Vegas hotel room.

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This information is based on a pool report.