2 SCOTS return from Afghanistan

During their six month deployment, the Battalion operated from Lashkar Gah City in Helmand Province,with their supporting elements, to provide security in the region and train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in preparation for them assuming full control of security in the country in the future.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), deployed on Operation HERRICK 13 in September 2010.

During their time in theatre they improved the lives of the indigenous population by providing protection from the insurgents and implementing projects to raise the quality of life for the people.

Throughout the tour, the Jocks, as they call themselves, were aided by their partners from the ANSF. All elements of the Battle Group were assisted by personnel from the Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) or other elements of the Afghan Security Forces.

Most lived with the 2 SCOTS soldiers, sharing patrol bases with them and conducting operations with them. This benefited everyone as the Afghans were able to talk to the local people and interact with them in a way the Jocks couldn’t, whilst the Afghans benefited from the superior firepower of the Jocks as well as the training that they received from them.

In the city of Lashkar Gah itself the ANSF were able to conduct security operations without the help of the forces from 2 SCOTS.

The ANSF competency was proven by the local people holding two concerts in the city, where famous Afghan singers were able to perform on stage, in front of thousands of fans, whilst the ANSF provided security. The events were both extremely successful and the insurgents were unable to mount any operations to disrupt them.

Elsewhere in the area out of the District Centre (DC) the people had a lot to thank the Jocks for. Many of the areas that 2 SCOTS were responsible for had previously been controlled by the insurgents, who used this control to intimidate the local people and force them to act against their will. Many were forced to grow illegal poppy or hide components used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for use against the security forces – both Afghan and international.

But thanks to the efforts of 2 SCOTS and the ANSF, these areas are now free from insurgent intimidation and the people are free to enjoy a better quality of life without fear of reprisals. To add to this, a number of projects were started by the government, to improve the quality of life for the local people. Roads were resurfaced, wells sunk and schools built and equipped.

Other force elements joined the Battalion to lend a hand to the sterling work they carried out. Troops from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS), Falcon Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2 RTR), B (Rorke's Drift) Company, 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh (2 R Welsh) and B Company (the Staffords) 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (3 Mercian) all played a role in ensuring 2 SCOTS' success during HERRICK 13.

Lieutenant Colonel Dougie Graham, Commanding Officer (CO) of 2 SCOTS praised the hard work of all members of the Battalion:

"It has not been an easy tour, but the Jocks should be proud of all that they have achieved during our time in Afghanistan. Thanks to their efforts, there are a great many areas where the local people can live freely without fear from the insurgents.

"Afghanistan is a completely different country to the one we saw the last time that we were there. This was partly down to the hard work that all members of the Battalion have carried out throughout Operation HERRICK 13.

"The Afghan Security Forces are now much better trained and equipped and have learned a lot from their time working with the Battalion. I am sure that 4 SCOTS will continue to build on what we have achieved here and I have no doubt that 2 SCOTS have set the conditions that will allow them to continue to be as successful."

Colonel Kumallahdin Shirzi, Chief of Police for the ANP in Lashkar Gah City, thanked 2 SCOTS for all that they have done throughout their tour:

"Without the work that the SCOTS troops carried out during their time in our country many people would still be living under the shadow of the insurgents. We have enjoyed working with them and thank them for their efforts in helping to improve the security in Lashkar Gah and Helmand Province."

Next for the Battalion are the homecoming parades before taking some well earned leave.

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