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Royalty visits Air Force Academy, provides awareness for Games

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) --  British royalty was on hand to kick off Warrior Games and to have a bit of fun with cadets here May 12.

His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, also known as Prince Harry, made a stop in Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy during his weeklong visit to the United States to raise awareness for Warrior Games.

During the Games, more than 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from the U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as a team representing U.S. Special Operations Command and an international team representing the United Kingdom, will compete. Events include track and field, shooting, swimming, cycling, archery, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball here and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

After sounding the horn to start the cycling races at Falcon Stadium, Prince Harry made his way to the Holaday Athletic Center to speak with cadets and get an American football lesson.

Troy Calhoun, the Falcons' football coach, described the concept of American football and the players' roles to the prince. His royal highness took on the role of quarterback and ran some plays with cadets, he even completed a couple of passes.

Though Prince Harry was able to relax some and understand what it takes to be a cadet at the academy, his main purpose for the visit was to raise awareness for the Warrior Games.

"It is an amazing opportunity for him to come down and speak with cadets and show support for Warrior Games," said Cadet 3rd Class Akil Romany, a cadet falconer. "I am honored to be a part of it."

The academy's superintendent also accompanied the prince and was excited to have him here raising awareness for Warrior Games.

"The real benefit of having Prince Harry is bringing the spotlight onto the wounded warriors where it belongs this week," Lt. Gen. Mike Gould said. "The Warrior Games are a really great group of activities to raise awareness of what these young men and women have been through, and having Prince Harry here is doing exactly that. We are glad to be able to partner with the Olympic Training Center to help these games. It's good for our cadets, families and for all Americans to see the bravery and understand the sacrifices these folks have made."