(NSI News Source Info) April 16, 2009: The Scottish troops who have taken over the reins of Regional Battle Group (South), based in Kandahar, Afghanistan, have hit the Taliban within the the first days of their arrival. 
Soldiers of The Black Watch following the successful seizure of Taliban weapons during one of their first operations of their current deployment in Helmand province [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) took the helm from 42 Commando Royal Marine last Friday, 10 April 2009, and have hit the ground running by seizing a Taliban weapons haul including mines and grenades.
The operation saw Alpha (Grenadier) Company set off at dawn on 11 April 2009 to conduct a 36-hour operation where they were dropped by helicopter onto a well-known Taliban supply route and netted Taliban anti-personnel mines, mortar and rocket-propelled grenades which were destroyed in a controlled explosion by the Royal Engineer troop.
Commanding Officer of The Black Watch Lieutenant Colonel Cartwright said:
"The fact that Alpha Company deployed on operations so soon after their arrival in theatre demonstrates their flexibility and high level of preparation. It's pleasing to have had such a positive result." 
Royal Marines of 42 Commando Regiment hand over command to the The Black Watch with a traditional flag-changing ceremony at Camp Roberts [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
Major Matt Munro, Officer Commanding Alpha Company, said: "There is no doubt that our first deployment proved the excellent training that we have been through together. The use of helicopters gave us the initiative which we maintained throughout. It was also good to start building up a relationship with the Afghan National Army and Canadian forces at this early stage."
The Black Watch took over from 42 Commando Royal Marines as the battalion responsible for supporting a variety of operations across the whole of southern Afghanistan, not just those of the main UK Task Force in Helmand province.
The flag of 42 Commando was lowered at Kandahar Airfield, 3 SCOTS's home for the next six months, before being replaced by the Saltire of the Inverness-based battalion, raised by Regimental Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 1) Lawrie McDougall, to the sound of a lone piper, Corporal Rab Lindsay. 
Servicemen from 42 Commando Royal Marines and The Black Watch salute the flag during the handover ceremony at Camp Roberts [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
Lt Col Stephen Cartwright, said: "42 Commando have had an enormously successful tour here using imaginative and daring tactics to outmanoeuvre the Taliban and win the confidence of the Afghan people. We will seek to build on their achievements and hope to work closely with the Afghan National Army and the multi-national forces across Helmand, Kandahar, and the other provinces of southern Afghanistan."
The Battalion will be based within Camp Roberts on the airfield and will work directly to the Dutch-led divisional headquarters known as Regional Command (South), part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force.
Soldiers of The Black Watch following the successful seizure of Taliban weapons during one of their first operations of their current deployment in Helmand province [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) took the helm from 42 Commando Royal Marine last Friday, 10 April 2009, and have hit the ground running by seizing a Taliban weapons haul including mines and grenades.
The operation saw Alpha (Grenadier) Company set off at dawn on 11 April 2009 to conduct a 36-hour operation where they were dropped by helicopter onto a well-known Taliban supply route and netted Taliban anti-personnel mines, mortar and rocket-propelled grenades which were destroyed in a controlled explosion by the Royal Engineer troop.
Commanding Officer of The Black Watch Lieutenant Colonel Cartwright said:
"The fact that Alpha Company deployed on operations so soon after their arrival in theatre demonstrates their flexibility and high level of preparation. It's pleasing to have had such a positive result." Royal Marines of 42 Commando Regiment hand over command to the The Black Watch with a traditional flag-changing ceremony at Camp Roberts [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
Major Matt Munro, Officer Commanding Alpha Company, said: "There is no doubt that our first deployment proved the excellent training that we have been through together. The use of helicopters gave us the initiative which we maintained throughout. It was also good to start building up a relationship with the Afghan National Army and Canadian forces at this early stage."
The Black Watch took over from 42 Commando Royal Marines as the battalion responsible for supporting a variety of operations across the whole of southern Afghanistan, not just those of the main UK Task Force in Helmand province.
The flag of 42 Commando was lowered at Kandahar Airfield, 3 SCOTS's home for the next six months, before being replaced by the Saltire of the Inverness-based battalion, raised by Regimental Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 1) Lawrie McDougall, to the sound of a lone piper, Corporal Rab Lindsay. Servicemen from 42 Commando Royal Marines and The Black Watch salute the flag during the handover ceremony at Camp Roberts [Picture: Sgt Chris Halton RLC]
Lt Col Stephen Cartwright, said: "42 Commando have had an enormously successful tour here using imaginative and daring tactics to outmanoeuvre the Taliban and win the confidence of the Afghan people. We will seek to build on their achievements and hope to work closely with the Afghan National Army and the multi-national forces across Helmand, Kandahar, and the other provinces of southern Afghanistan."
The Battalion will be based within Camp Roberts on the airfield and will work directly to the Dutch-led divisional headquarters known as Regional Command (South), part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force.
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