Prince William, the second-in-line to the British throne, has decided to become a full-time helicopter pilot with the Royal Air Force's search and rescue force, a statement from the defence ministry said.
The 26-year-old prince, who learnt to fly earlier this year with the RAF, has served for several months with the Royal Navy and currently serves as Lieutenant in the British Army.
He will begin his 18-month training in the rank of flying officer in January 2009 after transfering from the army to the air force, where he will hold the rank of flying officer.
If he completes his course, he will fly Sea King helicopters with one of the RAF's six search-and-rescue teams.
"It has been a real privilege to have spent the past year understanding and experiencing all aspects of the British Armed Forces," the statement quoted Prince William as saying.
"I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally, especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year with the Household Cavalry Regiment," he added.
A typical tour for a pilot in the Search and Rescue Force is 30 to 36 months where he will take part in the full range of operations, from rescuing sailors to airlifting people from flood areas.
Prince William first experienced the work of the SARF in December 2005 when he spent two weeks on work experience at the RAF Valley.
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