( CNN ) -- Prince Harry -- Capt . Harry Wales , to his mates -- is coming to the U.S. Southwest this week to begin a two-month series of training exercises for British attack helicopter pilots . The Apache crews will train at Naval Air Facility El Centro in California , about 90 miles east of San Diego , officials said . The prince , 27 , also will be training at the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field in southern Arizona . It 's part of a two-month series of maneuvers dubbed Exercise Crimson Eagle , in which British fliers will practice with the Apaches in terrain similar to southern Afghanistan , where some British troops are currently based . Officials stress that Harry is coming as a serviceman , not as a potential heir to the throne . `` We are treating him like any other O3 ( junior grade officer ) , '' said Kristopher Haugh , deputy public affairs officer at the El Centro facility . Still , it 's possible that the prince , like others who train in the area , may frequent area clubs , restaurants , theaters or bowling alleys . The El Centro Chamber of Commerce has asked businesses and restaurants to treat Harry with respect and safeguard his privacy . The prince may also be drawn to outdoor diversions . According to Cathy Kennerson , chief executive officer of the Chamber , the area is known for off-roading , hiking , birdwatching and the Salton Sea , also in the agriculture-rich Imperial Valley . Residents of the city of 42,000 will take the visit in stride , Kennerson said . `` They just want to put their best foot forward . '' Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles , the heir to the British throne , and the late Princess Diana . He served on the front line in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and saw combat , but was withdrawn in February 2008 after news of his deployment broke . Harry 's brother , Prince William , is also an army officer . But as second in line for the throne , he is specifically barred from combat . According to the Telegraph in London , Harry intends to return to Afghanistan next year after he completes his training . He has been told by flying instructors he has a `` natural flair '' for flying , the newspaper reported this summer .
Prince Harry joins British military exercises in California and Arizona . As `` Captain Wales , '' he is flying Apache helicopter gunships . He saw combat in Afghanistan in late 2007 and early 2008 .