A Scimitar Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) of the Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL) on patrol in Maysaan Province
Posted on 12/09/2006 12:23:15 PM PST by SandRat
The Lancers deployed as part of 19 Light Brigade, which took over as the main British Army force in the Multi-National Division in south-eastern Iraq.
The QRL are equipped with Scimitar armored reconnaissance vehicles and ‘WMIK’ landrovers which are ideally suited to the mostly flat terrain, with large areas of marshland. The Battlegroup mounts regular patrols from a Forward Operating Base, the location of which changes every few days to enhance security.
One principal focus for the Battlegroup is supporting border police in anti-smuggling operations, stemming the flow of arms from across the border. The QRL also stand ready to support local police in other operations around the province.
The QRL Battlegroup includes Soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Signals and Royal Army Medical Corps.
“We’ve been on the ground for about a month now and we’ve been operating in Maysaan in a classic formation reconnaissance role, scouting, finding and carrying out framework patrols along the border and throughout Maysaan,” said Lieutenant Colonel Richard Nixon-Eckersall, commanding officer, QRL Battlegroup.
“The Regiment’s only recently converted to a formation reconnaissance role so this is quite new to us, but it’s a perfect opportunity for us to get used to formation reconnaissance,” he continued. “We’re finding our feet and getting used to operating in these conditions. There’s no doubt, operating in the desert, every day and night is going to be hard work. December - March is traditionally a very difficult time in the desert.
“But most of them are very keen to be here and enjoy being in the desert. After a couple of days in Basra they are keen to get back into the desert.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nixon-Eckersall is pleased with the progress so far.
“We’ve already established very good relations with the Department of Border Enforcement and we’re also starting to establish some good links with the Iraqi Army,” he concluded.
God Bless the British, America's best friend.
I see they've upgraded their lances from when they were originally founded.
Do you suppose we could make a guest worker program for these guys?
Do you think we could get them to work in Pima County?!
fyi =)
Along with the Aussies, especially in this war on terror.
(piano transcription of a WWI march by British composer Kenneth J. Alford)
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