Change of role for Queen's Royal Hussars in Iraq
30 Aug 06
The first stage of the repositioning of the Multi National Force in Maysan has begun with the departure of British troops from Camp Abu Naji to be replaced with soldiers from the 4th (Iraqi Army) Brigade.
A soldier from the Queen's Royal Hussars helps the Iraqis to police one of their most difficult borders, with Iran, which includes hundreds of kilometres of marshlands
[Picture: Corporal H Harlen]
This change reflects the British Forces growing confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces and their ability to provide routine security in urban areas.
However, British forces have not left Maysan the province, rather they are in the process of redeploying elsewhere in the region with the specific purpose of focusing on border operations and supporting the Iraqi Security Forces.
Lieutenant Colonel David LaBouchere, Commanding Officer of The Queen's Royal Hussars, explained:
"It has always been our intention to hand over the Camp as soon as the Iraqi Security Forces were ready to take over responsibility. The Iraqi Police Service and the Iraqi Army have been very impressive in implementing new security plans agreed by the Provincial Authorities. We are now going to work with the Department of Border Enforcement to improve border security."
So what changes will repositioning bring?
The Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH) have traded life at Camp Abu Naji for vehicle patrol work in the deserts of Eastern Maysan. And the new task for the QRH is anything but routine. The Regiment has swapped the static Coalition Forces base for wide-ranging, mobile operations in the desert.
The Patrol Battle-Group troopers will be deployed into the harsh environment of Eastern Maysan, living off their vehicles for weeks at a time. Their new role includes cracking down on militia and smugglers. The cavalrymen will be employing the tactics and field-craft pioneered by units such as the Second World War Long Range Desert Group.
"The Iraqi Police Service and the Iraqi Army have been very impressive in implementing new security plans agreed by the Provincial Authorities. We are now going to work with the Department of Border Enforcement to improve border security."
Lieutenant Colonel David LaBouchere
The QRH is part of a larger contingency of forces deployed in Eastern Maysan. However, the QRH form the core of the maneouvre force with a squadron from the Queen’s Dragoon Guards adding the armoured reconnaissance capability to the Maysan Patrol Battle-Group.
The mobility and effectiveness of this particular Battle-Group will be supported by a round-the-clock, information-gathering network. Lieutenant-Colonel LaBouchere, added:
"The Multi-National Forces will act jointly, if necessary, with the Iraqi Security Forces in conducting search and arrest operations throughout the Province."