Visiting Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, the UK’s Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon praised the contribution the troops would make to helping keep the UK safe and highlighted how the range of their recent and forthcoming deployments “spanned continents” contributing to security “at home and abroad”.
Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said:
The men and women of our Scottish-based Armed Forces perform a pivotal role in keeping the people of this country, and our allies, safe.
From Afghanistan to South Sudan to Cyprus as well as recent deployments in the UK, the strength and versatility of 2 SCOTS allows them to operate in varied roles that span continents and project UK influence across the globe.
The men and women who serve here today can be proud of the valuable contribution they make to our security both at home and abroad.
2 SCOTS will be taking over from 4 SCOTS, who deployed in February 2017 for a six-month tour in Iraq.
2 SCOTS Operational Deployments
Previously, 2 SCOTS deployed on NATO’s Op TORAL peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan for nine months in 2015-16. Here, they helped develop the professionalism of the officer cadre passing through the Afghan National Army’s Officer Academy, and protected UK and allied troops in Kabul.
Op TEMPERER
Earlier this year, 2 SCOTS soldiers were called upon to protect the UK following the Islamic terrorist attack in Manchester. Deployed on Op TEMPERER in May 2017, 2 SCOTS guarded key infrastructure sites in order to release 166 civilian Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary firearms officers in Scotland. This was part of the wider UK response which freed an additional 1,000 armed civilian police officers to help protect the UK public in the wake of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing.
Op TRENTON for 2 SCOTS in 2018
Troops from 2 SCOTS will shortly also deploy on two United Nations’ missions: joining comrades from the Scots Dragoon Guards in Cyprus over the next few weeks, and deploying on Op TRENTON in South Sudan in 2018 to protect the UN forces building hospitals and other new infrastructure.
Standby Battalion in 2018
2 SCOTS will again be part of the UK Standby Battalion in 2018, contributing to an additional force of 2,800 military personnel to support civilian police forces, should they request it.
2 SCOTS are a light role infantry battalion based at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, comprising of 414 Scottish infantry soldiers and 35 officers, supported by 53 Army personnel from other regiments and battalions.
Source: MOD.
