Part-time soldiers ready for Gulf

The troops hope to increase security for Iraqi citizens

Eighty part-time soldiers from the South West are preparing for a six-month tour of duty in the Gulf.

The Territorial Army infantrymen from the Rifle Volunteers have undergone weeks of training in readiness for their peace-keeping mission in Iraq.

They are gathering at Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor on Thursday, before leaving for the Gulf in mid-April.

They will be linked to First Battalion the Cheshire Regiment, as part of a rolling reinforcement by TA soldiers.

Peace support

Although volunteer soldiers, they have been compulsorily called up.

One soldier said: "It's quite worrying, but it's a good bunch of lads and we'll look after each other and be fine."

One of his colleagues said: "We're a little bit apprehensive. But I think it's probably a bit worse for our families at home. I think they'll worry about it probably more than we will."

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Blewett said: "The men will be deployed into Basra and have been given a force protection task.

"They'll be conducting peace support operations. So they'll be patrolling the city, supporting the police and trying to impose security in the area to help in the rebuilding of the city."

"They've been given every preparation that we possibly can give them."