Drone_pilot
27-05-04, 16:46
The Black Watch is heading back to Iraq following the announcement of more UK troop deployments.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said that 600 soldiers from the Scottish infantry regiment were being sent back to Iraq.
Mr Hoon described the extra troop deployment as a modest increase, but it comes amidst mounting violence in the south of the country.
The regiment will replace the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders when their tour ends in July.
The Black Watch first fought in Iraq in April 2003 as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, which led the Desert Rats' attack on Basra, the country's second city.
On the regiment's return to the UK, commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan said it had been left with a shortage of kit by the Ministry of Defence.
Troops had been sent to Iraq without equipment needed to survive a chemical or biological attack, he added.
Black Watch Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Cooper also criticised the shortage of nuclear, biological and chemical protection suits and equipment.
But both men said complaints should be kept in perspective, considering the success of the Iraq campaign and the amount of equipment transported to the Gulf.
BBC Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3753275.stm)
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said that 600 soldiers from the Scottish infantry regiment were being sent back to Iraq.
Mr Hoon described the extra troop deployment as a modest increase, but it comes amidst mounting violence in the south of the country.
The regiment will replace the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders when their tour ends in July.
The Black Watch first fought in Iraq in April 2003 as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, which led the Desert Rats' attack on Basra, the country's second city.
On the regiment's return to the UK, commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan said it had been left with a shortage of kit by the Ministry of Defence.
Troops had been sent to Iraq without equipment needed to survive a chemical or biological attack, he added.
Black Watch Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Cooper also criticised the shortage of nuclear, biological and chemical protection suits and equipment.
But both men said complaints should be kept in perspective, considering the success of the Iraq campaign and the amount of equipment transported to the Gulf.
BBC Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3753275.stm)