THE DESERT RATS

7th Infantry Brigade and HQ East

The Desert Rats

7th Infantry Brigade and HQ East - ‘The Desert Rats’ is one of the Army’s Adaptable Force Brigades comprising of Regular and Reserve units. The Brigade is the Army regional point of contact for the 12 counties of the East Midlands and the East of England, from the Humber to the Thames.

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The Brigade's Role

To provide forces that conduct a broad range of tasks, including:

  • Combat operations - particularly enduring stabilisation.
  • Standing commitments - for example Cyprus, Falkland Islands or state ceremonial and public duties.
  • Defence engagement  - supporting conflict prevention through a planned approach to engagement overseas. This includes developing the military capacity of partner nations.
  • Delivery of ‘firm base’ activities - includes contributing to UK resilience and civil engagement (with employers and the communities in which we live).
  • Recruiting, training and administration of Army units within the Brigade area.
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Brigade Units

  • 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards

  • The Royal Yeomanry (Reserve)

  • 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings)

  • 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers)

  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Steelbacks) (Reserve)

  • 4th Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Reserve)

  • 1st Battalion, The Rifles

  • 6th Battalion, The Rifles (Reserve)

Headquarters and Unit Locations

Soldiers from the Division perform a wide array of roles.