| Taking a break from manoeuvres in Wiltshire today, Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan spoke of the readiness of the 500-plus troops under his command to meet the challenges they will face.
A lead company of 140 men from The 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) head for Iraq later this month, with the rest following on July 15.
“I went out to Iraq last week on reconnaissance to get a feel of what is going on,” said Lieutenant Colonel Cowan.
“It is a very critical time and our contribution as a battalion will be to maintain order and act as peacekeepers as they move towards elections and forming a democracy.
“The men are very excited, and although we did not expect this tour, they joined the Army to travel and experience new things.”
Lieutenant Colonel Cowan said they would be serving in a wider area this time than the previous tour, covering the British-controlled sector in south-east Iraq.
The soldiers are currently training at the Land Warfare Centre at Battleby Barracks, near Warminster, in Wiltshire, where they have been since March.
Among the local soldiers who will be heading for Iraq is Warrior armoured fighting vehicle gunner Pte Billy Coutts (23) from Dundee.
He is undertaking his second tour in Iraq and fought in the taking of Az Zubayr.
He said, “Last time we were there we did a great job liberating the country from Saddam Hussein, this time we are looking forward to building on the start we have made and providing Iraqis with a chance to hold fair elections.”
Traditionally recruited from Perthshire, Angus, Dundee and Fife, The Black Watch are heading for an area that is seen as one of the more stable parts of Iraq.
It is almost a year since The Black Watch completed a three-month role in the capture of Basra. |
