3 SCOTS CO praises hard work of 'canny Jocks' in Afghanistan

A Military Operations news article

10 Nov 09

As The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), return home from an arduous tour in Afghanistan, their Commanding Officer (CO), Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, talks of his immense pride at what his soldiers have achieved.

Soldiers of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, take up defensive positions after insertion into enemy territory by Chinook helicopter
[Picture: Corporal Rupert Frere, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

For the last six months The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, have been at the forefront of operations in Afghanistan, acting as the 'flying squad' of southern Afghanistan - undertaking often lengthy patrols deep into areas populated by insurgents to hit at control centres and strongholds.

The last soldiers from the battalion returned home from Afghanistan this weekend. See Related News >>>

3 SCOTS were based in Kandahar where they took over as the Regional Battle Group (South) in April 2009.

They also had soldiers deployed across Helmand province and have been involved in a variety of operations as part of 19 Light Brigade, including Operation PANTHER'S CLAW.

Click here to see more pictures of 3 SCOTS on operations in Afghanistan

Reflecting on the achievements of the tour, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said:

"Operation HERRICK 10 has been an extraordinary experience; professionally and personally.

"The majority of the battalion has been based at Camp Roberts, Kandahar Airfield, as the Regional Battle Group (South), launching 14 deliberate air assault operations at great distance into Helmand and Kandahar provinces, all of which have been physically and mentally demanding.

"Other members of the battalion have been based in northern Helmand as part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team working with the Afghan National Army. An elite few have been part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, conducting strike and harassing operations against the enemy in Helmand province.

"In some ways we have been the 'flying squad' of southern Afghanistan. Regional Battle Group (South) operations have been anything from 24 hours to ten days in length, always seeking to strike the insurgent in depth, and aiming to have effect on the enemy that has regional consequences.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

"I cannot fault the resources that we have been given, from support helicopters to attack aviation and unmanned drones in overwatch above. It has truly been a multi-national effort, with attached Afghan Warriors, American pilots and Canadian IED [improvised explosive device] experts becoming trusted friends.

"We have been especially lucky to be reunited with the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Force, whom we partnered in central Iraq during 2004. Internally, we have been fortunate to be supported so well by 38 Battery, Royal Artillery, and detachments of Royal Engineers, Intelligence Corps, Royal Military Police, Royal Logistic Corps and Royal Signals soldiers as part of the Battle Group.

"Above all, this tour has been about people not technology, whether it be the 'canny Jock' uncomplainingly carrying 80 pounds [36kg] on his back for days on end; knowing when to aggressively fight the insurgent with every means available and when to hold back to protect the local people.

"It has been about restraint versus controlled aggression. It has been about the local Afghans that we have met. Wherever we have been deployed, we have sought to influence the Afghan by our behaviour, posture and speech, always looking to drive a wedge between the Afghan and the insurgent.

"For me, two operations have stood out amongst others. During Operation OUBA 3, in early June, we raided an insurgent drug nexus in the Upper Sangin Valley, seizing five tonnes of wet opium, 220 kilogrammes of morphine and other hard drug ingredients.

"We denied the enemy millions of dollars in profit that would have been used to lay IEDs against UK forces. The manner in which the Jocks fought after flying into a hail of insurgent gunfire was incredible, whether it be the young section commander who led close attack after attack, or the junior medic who kept her casualties going as help arrived.

Soldiers from 3 SCOTS investigate a small doorway within an enemy compound
[Picture: Corporal Rupert Frere, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

"The most important part of the operation was arguably discrediting the insurgency in a critical area of Helmand.

"In late June and July we took part in Operation PANCHAI PALANG [PANTHER'S CLAW]. We landed in a one-wave assault with 350 men, attacking a very determined and intelligent enemy in Babaji, as part of 19 Brigade's main operation of the summer.

"After the initial assault we were repeatedly counter-attacked and the bravery shown by some key personnel, especially our snipers, helped ensure that a Taliban heartland is now largely under Afghan Government control.

"These types of operations justify the sense of immense pride I have in the Jocks, gunners, redcaps, signallers, logisticians, sappers and collators.

"In such an offensive campaign we have very sadly taken losses. Sergeant Sean Binnie, Private Rab McLaren, Bombardier Craig Hopson, Sergeant Gus Millar and Private Kevin Elliott gave their lives in the service of their friends and the people of Afghanistan.

"All had the shared characteristics of ability, iron will and humour. Their deaths hit us all very hard. I am determined to ensure that they are remembered in the manner in which they deserve.

"Our return brings to an end the first chapter of The Royal Regiment of Scotland's history.

"We have been augmented by 30 members of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1 SCOTS [1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland], and 35 members of our Territorial Army battalions for nearly a year.

"All five regular battalions of this new regiment, based on over a 1,000 years of collective history, have now served with distinction in Afghanistan or Iraq.

"The support from both the regimental family, and from the thousands of members of the public who have backed us, have given us enormous strength in Afghanistan. I would very much like to thank them."