The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards returned from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in December. 

In Iraq, working as part of our parent brigade, 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats, we undertook a variety of tasks. 

The bulk of the regiment formed a key part of the UK Military Transition Team Group (MiTT Gp), which was responsible for the training, mentoring and monitoring of the Iraqi security forces in the Basra area.

These security forces with their small MiTT teams attached are the ones that have ultimately brought peace and security to the people of Basra province.

One C Squadron were attached to the 1st Bn, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers where they helped to provide the security for the Contingency Operating base.

Finally B Squadron served in Afghanistan under the command of the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. They split into two distinct groups, one being equipped with Viking and the other with Scimitar. Their main role was to provide fire support and protected mobility to the infantry operating in Helmand province.

After all this activity the Regiment returned to Fallingbostel and a well earned break. 

We came back to work at the beginning of February and since then we have turned our focus to our core role as Armoured soldiers. Having used many different vehicles in the past 18 months we have taken the last few months to concentrate on our tanks - the Challenger 2 Main Battle tank.

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Coming up

In August, we will have the opportunity to fire the tanks, live, on the largest range complex in Europe. Every tank crew in the regiment will go through a series of live fire exercises culminating in their annual crew test.

In amongst all of this the regiment's Pipes and Drums has managed to produce a chart topping album, much of it recorded on operations in Iraq and they have been awarded the ultimate musical accolade of the Best Classical

Album award at the Classical Brit Awards, the first time that any military has been given this honour.

Scotland events

The Scots Dragoon Guards are coming returning to Scotland on en masse between 26 June 2009 and 10 July 2009. Come and meet us at:

• 26 Jun-03 Jul: Mounting the Royal Guard daily at Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• 04 Jul 09 in Edinburgh at West Parliament Square (11am until 1pm) and marching down the Royal Mile at 11am
• 07 Jul 09 in Perth (Armed Forces Day) at King Edward Street (11 am until 1 pm) and marching down the High Street at 11am
• 10 Jul 09, Glasgow at George Square (11am until 1pm) and marching down W George Street at 11am

Meet soldiers from your hometown, see Challenger 2 battle tanks and reconnaissance vehicles, hear the Brit award winning Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Join us for a Beating Retreat outside Perth Concert Hall at 1900 on 07 Jul 09.

The next few months will see the Regiment training on the Challenger 2 tanks. We will conduct a couple of run out exercises in Germany followed by another round of live firing. This activity will culminate in a month long exercise on the Canadian prairie.