2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment

Commanding Officer: Lt Col Colin Marks (Designate: Lt Col Shove Gilby, July 2012)

Location: Palace Barracks, Belfast, N.Ireland, UK

Role: Light-Role Infantry Battalion

Who we are - The Battalion takes its heritage from the former Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment and recruits soldiers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Worcestershire. The Battalion has deployed to Afghanistan four times and as such is one of the most highly decorated Battalions in The British Army.

The Battalion consists of 5 companies. Three are rifle companies who focus on close combat skills. Each of these is about 100 men strong. These rifle companies are supported by a Support Company and a Headquarters Company.

Where we are - The Battalion is based at Palace Barracks near Hollywood in Belfast. The city offers a vibrant nightlife, shopping centres and unspoilt countryside on the outskirts. Travel to the UK mainland is very easy with Belfast International Airport only 10 mins from the barracks. There is also a regular car ferry.

The Battalion deployed to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 15 in October 2011, returning in April 2012.

What we do - The Battalion provides a light-role capability to 19 Light Brigade which means a lot of the time spent on operations is done on foot. We also have to be able to operate using helicopters and an array of armoured mobility vehicles. We have to be able to deploy with and carry all the kit and equipment we are going to need and our soldiers are among the fittest in the Army.