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Duty call for 1,000 Scots troops Duty call for 1,000 Scots troops
(about 1 hour later)
The Ministry of Defence has announced that more than 1,000 Scottish soldiers are to be deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan this autumn.The Ministry of Defence has announced that more than 1,000 Scottish soldiers are to be deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan this autumn.
The move is part of a planned regular rotation of British forces which is expected to come into effect during October and November.The move is part of a planned regular rotation of British forces which is expected to come into effect during October and November.
The announcement was made in the form of a written statement to MPs from Defence Secretary Des Browne.The announcement was made in the form of a written statement to MPs from Defence Secretary Des Browne.
He confirmed about 1,150 soldiers would be deployed.He confirmed about 1,150 soldiers would be deployed.
About 50 soldiers from the 52 Infantry Brigade headquarters in Edinburgh will be sent to Helmund in Afghanistan.About 50 soldiers from the 52 Infantry Brigade headquarters in Edinburgh will be sent to Helmund in Afghanistan.
Fifty soldeirs from the 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion - a TA regiment - will also be deployed. They will replace 12 Mechanised Brigade, as part of International Security Assistance Force, a UN authorised NATO mission.
Soldiers being deployed to Iraq include 450 soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Scots Guards and about 600 soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, the 1st Royal Regiment of Scotland. Challenges Ahead
Brigade commander, Brigadier Andrew Mackay, said: "Everyone within 52 Infantry Brigade has spent the past several months working and training hard towards this deployment to Afghanistan.
"We are in no doubt that the challenges that will be presented to us in Helmand will be many and varied.
"As individuals the men and woman of the Brigade believe we have much to contribute in facing those challenges."
Fifty soldiers from the 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion - a TA regiment - will also be deployed.
Soldiers being deployed to Iraq include 450 soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Scots Guards, who are currently based in Munster in Germany.
About 600 soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers, the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland will also go to Iraq.
It is their first operational deployment since they formed from an amalgamation of The Royal Scots and The Kings Own Scottish Borderers on 1 August, 2006.
The battalions will be carrying out security patrols and escorting duties in Iraq as well as surge operations.
They will both stay in Iraq for a six month tour of duty.