Tri-Service

1 R ANGLIAN Return After Handing Over To 2 SCOTS In Kabul

At a formal ceremony in the Afghan capital, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (1 R ANGLIAN) bowed out with dignity this week, handing the baton of the Kabul Protection Unit (KPU) over to The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

The final tranche of the returning troops from 1 Royal Anglian are now returning to the UK after their six-month deployment.

Unlike previous NATO missions, their role was to provide security and training to the Afghan government.

As part of the larger Kabul Security Force (KSF), meanwhile, approximately 200 2 SCOTS soldiers will be located at four sites in Kabul.

Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Wearmouth who is taking over as Commanding Officer of the KSF, was keen to recognise the contribution made by the Anglian Regiment, as well as the challenges ahead.

Lt Col Wearmouth said: “The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland would like to pay tribute to the soldiers of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment for their efforts over the last six months."

"It is clear from our handover that the Kabul Protection Unit is in very robust shape. As we embark on our 4th deployment in Afghanistan we know that our challenge here will be very different from our previous experiences.

"We will be operating alongside a rich and varied array of multinational partners and that represents a unique military privilege at a very important time in this enduring mission.”

They'll protect ministerial advisers and mentor at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and the TORAL aviation detachment, as well as providing close protection teams to a number of senior NATO figures.