The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world. The Second has been at the forefront of armoured warfare since the moment the first tanks broke through the German trenches at Cambrai, France, in 1917.

Today, Tankies have once again taken the fight to the enemy, this time in Afghanistan, and once again using the newest armoured vehicles in the British Army.

The men of 2 RTR are experts in fighting from Armoured Fighting Vehicles. During training, young Tankies cut their teeth on the most complex vehicle in the British arsenal - the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.

The Regiment is based near Stonehenge in Wiltshire and recruits its men from the South West and South East of England. The Regiment is proud to think of itself as "Southern England's Armour".

In Helmand province, Afghanistan, these armoured experts have been transferring their tank skills to the full range of new British armoured vehicles: Mastiff, Warthog, Wolfhound, Panther and Jackal. All of these are used by Tankies to fight the insurgents and support the infantry in order to bring security to the people of Afghanistan.

2nd Royal Tank Regiment troops have recently returned from operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick, where we have been showing the insurgents what our motto - "FEAR NAUGHT" - really means.

Homecoming Parades:

After the largest RTR deployment since 2003, their tenth tour in eight years, and after 35 years in Germany, the warriors of the Second Royal Tank Regiment are coming home.

Homecoming parades will be held as follows:

12 July - Plymouth
14 July - Weymouth
15 July - Bristol
1 September - Maidstone
15 September - Putney

Also, on Saturday 2 July 2011 medals will be presented in Tidworth. For more details follow the links below: