Welcome home for Black Watch after Iraq mission

Regiment parades through city after six-month training deployment

The 3rd Battalion of Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) has received a well-deserved warm welcome on their homecoming parade through Inverness after a six-month deployment.

Freshly returned from Iraq, 3 SCOTS – better known as The Black Watch – were deployed on a mission to train border security forces.

The battalion provided security for the thousands of coalition troops stationed at the Al-Assad air base in an area that had in the previous three years come under attack by ISIS.

The deployment of coalition forces at the base is aimed at providing the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) with a secure base of operations as well as the capability to conduct their own security operations targeting and protecting against ISIS.

The six-month tour saw the ISF trained in infantry tactics, security procedures, first aid, advanced weapons and communication skills.

Major Finlay Anderson, 29, officer commanding Delta Company, said: “We deployed January to July of this year so we have had a couple of months of leave when we got back – well deserved for all the soldiers and now we are back into normal life.

“But before we get back into training we are having a quick celebration with a homecoming parade here and throughout Scotland.”

Major Anderson said the mission was to train the ISF in “a whole range of skills, infantry skills from 3 SCOTS as well as with our counterparts in the Royal Engineers and the Medical Corps teaching their skills to the Iraqis as well”.

“Certainly it was successful, the Iraqis were very receptive and they were very keen to learn from our guys and all the skills that they have in the British Army.”

Sandy McCook. Pictures: Members of 3 SCOTS (The Black Watch) during their homecoming parade through Inverness.