Journal - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

1 SCOTS
a week in the life of 3 Pl: Basra PIC ceremony and patrols in Warrior
3 Pl’s toast has landed butter side up on this tour.
Detached to the charming but relaxed D (Green
Horse) Squadron of the RDG, but staying in the BG,
patrolling in warrior and taking a lead role in the
ceremony to mark transition to Provincial Iraqi Control
(PIC) have all been highlights. Being blown up with an
IED was also a highlight but for the wrong reason.
To the outside world the ceremony held to
hand Provincial Control to the Iraqi administration
on 16 Dec 07 ran perfectly. The events at Basra
International Airport ran smoothly and the military
presence was low key. This was only half the story.
Like swans paddling serenely there was frantic
activity, carefully hidden from sight in hangers and
completed in cover of darkness by the 1 SCOTS BG.
The night prior to the event the 1 SCOTS All
Arms Search Team, headed by CSM Lindsay and
members of 3 Pl, assisted the Royal Engineers
Search team and sniffer dogs in combing the
terminal buildings to ensure that there were no
unpleasant surprises. They were protected in their
task by members of Anzio Coy 1 LANCS providing
the inner cordon.
The remainder of 3 Pl were co-located with
the immediate medical response team, based
on 1 SCOTS Med Section, and the QRF armoured
evacuation fleet from the MT platoon out of sight to
the side of the terminal buildings. 3 Pl was to act as a
QRF to marshal the responding emergency services.
The outer cordon, over the horizon in the desert, was
found from D Sqn RDG, also 1 SCOTS BG. This was
all coordinated by Tac HQ, who spent a memorable
couple of days in an inauspicious empty hanger.
No two days are the same and there is little
or no chance of people becoming bored. Being
attached to D Sqn RDG has meant that we have
had to adapt to armoured infantry tactics which
are different from what we are used to. This
has required flexibility at all levels to ensure the
smooth running of the Sqn. We visit the Iraqi Army
battalions on a daily basis where we are responsible
for mentoring, monitoring and training (M2T). They
are all at a fairly advanced stage of development
and are less interested in training, rather taking
advice on developing tactics and procedures.
As a platoon we cover the Sqn responsibility for
dismounted foot and helicopter patrols. These are
conducted as a deterrent to insurgents who may
try and launch attacks against us and to assess the
situation on the ground. These are enjoyed by all
as it gives us a chance to operate independently in
the light role which is our bread and butter. There
are of course the various guard commitments
around different instillations in the COB which
are done in conjunction with the D Sqn troops.
Although a chore, it establishes a routine and it is
not minded too much.
On patrol near Safwan
Sgt Skinner and Cpl McEwan
Warriors stuck in the mire
Some new Iraqi friends
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