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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Duty call for 1,000 Scots troops | Duty call for 1,000 Scots troops |
| (10 minutes 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. |
| They will replace 12 Mechanised Brigade, as part of International Security Assistance Force, a UN authorised NATO mission. | They will replace 12 Mechanised Brigade, as part of International Security Assistance Force, a UN authorised NATO mission. |
| Challenges Ahead | 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. | 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. |
| The continuing presence of US and UK forces is not the solution to the disastrous situation in Iraq Angus Robertson SNP MP | |
| "We are in no doubt that the challenges that will be presented to us in Helmand will be many and varied. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | They will both stay in Iraq for a six month tour of duty. |
| SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP restated his call for troops in Iraq to return home, following the announcement. | |
| He said: "The continuing presence of US and UK forces is not the solution to the disastrous situation in Iraq." |