Soldiers from Glencorse Barracks are on their way to Kabul, Afghanistan, to support the training of the Afghan National Army.

Around 250 troops from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, Second Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, are departing this week for the middle-eastern country, in order to undertake their latest tour supporting the war-torn country’s army.

2 Scots will strengthen The Kabul Security Force and provide security to UK and Nato personnel as part of Britain’s ongoing commitment to Nato’s mission in Afghanistan.

The local battalion have carried out three previous tours in the country and are not unfamiliar with the task at hand. This latest tour, lasting eight months, will see the battalion deploy in two roulements, in support of NATO Military personnel advising at Afghan security institutions including the Afghan National Army Officers’ Academy. They will also play a role in the coordination and movement control of NATO forces around the Afghan capital.

Commanding Officer of 2 SCOTS, Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Wearmouth said:

We’ll be in Kabul to provide an extra layer of protection and control for the wider NATO mission but our main responsibility will be to support the Afghan forces who lead on security in the area. This is a great opportunity for us, we’re a light role infantry battalion taking up a mechanised role with the use of the Foxhound vehicle. Many members of the battalion have previously deployed to Afghanistan in combat roles, this is a completely different mission for us and a lot of work has gone into training and preparing the soldiers for this deployment.

Last year, the United Kingdom’s combat operations ceased in Afghanistan. The British Army are now working to help train the National Army so that the government can police and defend itself.