[A-List] UK sub-imperialism: tooling up for Iraq

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Scottish regiments in Iraq vanguard
IAN BRUCE
The Herald, 21 November 2002

THE 15,000 British troops who would play a supporting role in any US
invasion of Iraq are to be drawn mainly from the 7th and 4th "desert rats"
armoured brigades based in Germany as part of UK 1st armoured division.

Units already on initial warning orders for a move to Kuwait early next year
include the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a tank regiment which fought in the
1991 Gulf campaign, and 1st battalion, the Black Watch, a 600-man infantry
outfit.

About 150 troopers from the SAS, half the regiment's "sabre" strength, are
already on standby. Most have just returned from leave after serving under
US command in the behind-the-lines war in Afghanistan.

Several thousand regular reserves would also have to be called up soon to
complete refresher training before deployment. Most would be plugging gaps
in the Army's woefully inadequate medical services, in intelligence and in
communications.

A major problem is the availablity of parts for a £90m programme involving
more than 200 Challenger 2 tanks and infantry vehicles to allow them to
operate in extreme sand and dust conditions.

More than half of the squadron of Challengers on exercise in Oman last year
broke down within hours because their engines had not been fitted with
desert filters. Repairs cost more than the initial price of protection.

Military sources said last night that it could take between two and three
months to acquire the necessary filters and other spares, fit them, and ship
the armour and supportvehicles from German ports to the war zone.

Troops expected to fight in NBC kit - the special charcoal-lined suits,
gloves, overboots and respirators which serve as a first defence against
nerve-gas or germ warfare - would also have to spend three to six weeks
training and acclimatising before they could be considered combat ready.

In moderate heat of between 60 to 70 degrees, even a fit infantry soldier
wearing airtight NBC protection can only fight at full tempo for 15 minutes
before becoming exhausted. Body temperature can climb by 10 degrees with the
slightest exertion.

HMS Triumph and HMS Splendid, the only two operational UK submarines capable
of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, are almost certain to be included in
the initial line-up for a concentrated bombardment of Iraq.

A number of Tornado fighters and fighter-bombers are already in the Gulf,
with one or two additional squadrons probably being sent as reinforcements.

Any key roles for either the amphibious battalions of 3 commando brigade,
Royal Marines, or for 16 air assault brigade's heliborne paratroopers remain
in doubt because of cost.

MPs were meanwhile warned yesterday that the Territorial Army was
ill-equipped and lacked the training to cope with the aftermath of chemical,
biological or nuclear terrorist attacks.

Colonel Michael Taylor told the Commons defence select committee that the
emphasis on training for survival needed to be addressed urgently.