February 27, 2007

Keeping an Eye On The Smugglers in Southern Iraq


The Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL) have recently taken on the role of a reconnaissance unit on the Iraq/Iran border region of Maysaan Province. Their new role is vital in helping the Iraqi authorities combat the smuggling of weapons and bomb-making equipment into Iraq.

The QRL make up the Maysaan Battlegroup. After re-roling from being a Challenger Tank unit less than two years ago they had to learn their new craft quickly after arriving in November right at the start of a particularly harsh winter. Their mission now is to patrol approximately 175 kilometres of the Iran/Iraq border.

The Regiment has a Headquarters element and two Sabre Squadrons, with Scimitar Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) and Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (cut-down Land Rover) vehicles deployed in the desert. These small manoeuvrable armoured tracked vehicles and heavily Armed Mobile Land Rovers are supported by command and logistical elements permanently living in the desert. The vehicles are equipped with General Purpose Machine Guns and 30mm canons, providing the Regiment with plenty of firepower.

(Photo: The QRL prove that 'You can never do too much reconnaissance'[Picture: Corporal Ian Forsyth RLC])

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