Belizean jungle provides valuable test for soldiers

Troops from across the Army, led by the Scots Guards, have been taking part in Exercise Mayan Storm for several weeks. The drills saw around 470 personnel, from 23 units including the likes of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Household Cavalry Regiment, and the Royal Lancers, deploy to the adverse terrain to test their mettle.

This particular exercise is one of about five per year; this time around, soldiers also conducted adventurous training and a firing range package.

The British Army Training Support Unit in Belize, based at Price Barracks, enables close country and tropical training to troops from the UK and international partners.

Practices like this are used to teach our soldiers how to survive, live, and fight in the jungle environment.

Soldiers learn skills in the jungle that are transferable to other environments and the training, though often gruelling, sets them up for success on future operations.

Working in Belize also strengthens the relationship between the host country and the UK; Belize Defence Force officers were embedded with British units during some of the scenarios.

Normally based within North Yorkshire's Catterick Garrison, the Scots Guards are a mechanised infantry regiment that also have a ceremonial role that sees them don the world famous bearskins cap. With over 375 years of history, the unit is renowned for its courage in battle and discipline - both factors that have been tested during their tenure in Belize.