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Commanding Officers Foreword



The penultimate edition of the Blue Hackle and it is a crackerjack copy. The Battalion now has its
largest number of soldiers forward in Afghanistan with 333 deployed. The recent arrival of Major
Cameron Law and his team to bolster the RAF Force Protection of the Camp Bastion perimeter is
the final piece in our commitment that has covered; RSOI, Force Protection and QRF in Kandahar,
the RCBS, the PM Company and the defence of Camp Bastion, in addition to the command of the
Manoeuvre Battlegroup. This span of contribution is pretty unique and testament to the high
regard in which the Battalion is held, but, I know it takes effort and so thank you again to the ROG
for making the deployment and recovery of over 600 individuals, so far this tour, happen.

Looking forward to our return, B Company and the RCBS team leave shortly and their successors
from the QDG are already in theatre. The remainder of us will return during May and early June,
less D Company whose recovery is yet to be decided. However, the majority will return by the end
of June, leaving a small party of volunteers here to hand-in their vehicles and return by mid-July.
As soon as we have definite dates we will send this information home.

Finally, it is a great privilege to have His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh present medals to
us on 12 June. Over 200 of the Battalion will be winning their Afghanistan medal and for many this
will be their first gong a special day. More details of the occasion will be published nearer the
time but please put it in your diaries and come and share in this exceptional event.

Commanding Officer 4 SCOTS: Lt Col J C Roddis MBE
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Manoeuvre Battlegroup
On 28
th
March, officers and soldiers from not
only 4 SCOTS, but other battalions in The
Royal Regiment of Scotland, held a parade
in Camp Bastion to mark the 8
th
anniversary
of the formation of the regiment. A role of
honour was called and wreaths laid.
Following the parade, everyone joined
together for a BBQ and to hear stories of
how a number of the Regiments battle
honours were won by our antecedent
regiments. These included Gulf War I, for
which the Quarter Master, Major Gary Tait,
was personally involved.


The end of March also saw the Task Force Helmand Headquarters, run by 7
th
Armoured Brigade,
merge into the Regional Command (South West) Headquarters, headed up by the United States
Marine Corps. This change meant that the Manoeuvre Battlegroup now works directly to an
American Brigadier, becoming an even greater coalition force than we already were.

Over 350 members of The Royal Regiment of Scotland were on parade.
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A Danish Leopard II Tank provides support to the Battlegroup during its operations.

With elements of 7
th
Armoured
Brigade completing their tour of duty
for Herrick 19, we at the Battlegroup
bid farewell to members of 3
MERCIAN from the Armoured Infantry
Company and the Price Force
Protection Platoon. Having
successfully closed Patrol Base
Lashkar Gah Durai and Main
Operating Base Price, their work in
Afghanistan was done and they will
now be back with their families and
friends having some well-deserved
leave.


The Danish Tank Platoon and Estonian Protected Mobility Company still remain as part of the
Battlegroup, but we have also gained 4 other components. Members of 9/12 Royal Lancers now
man the Manoeuvre Battlegroups Reconnaissance Company and Warthog Squadron, C Company
2 Royal Anglian are dismounted infantry to work with the Warthogs, and Delta Company are
providing Protected Mobility in
the form of Mastiffs.

The month has, therefore,
been spent conducting
numerous operations with all
new sub units learning how
best to work in and around
one another. It is a truly
fantastic sight to see soldiers
land in the desert in a
Chinook, with Estonians,
Danish tanks, Warthogs and
Mastiffs driving around in
support of them.

The UK CH-47, or Chinook, is a fantastic asset to use.
Although there are lots of new faces in the Battlegroup,
some stay the same.
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The Warthogs working in direct support of the Helicopter Assault Force.

Not wanting to be left out, C Company and Delta Company have also been training with helicopters
so that they too can deploy and operate out of them should the requirement arise.




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RSOI gave the jocks an opportunity to zero their rifles and refresh their
tactical skills.
Exercise OLIVE GROVE Jordan

Assaye Company has now
returned to Fallingbostel after a
productive month in Jordan. With
the end of Op HERRICK and the
drawdown in Afghanistan in sight,
Exercise OLIVE GROVE saw
one hundred and twenty five
members of 4 SCOTS plus
attachments deploy into another
desert to begin training for
contingency operations. The
exercise also served to further
the UKs links with the
Jordanians, who we would train
alongside towards the end our
time in their country. Many of the
company had recently returned
from Afghanistan, and it was
confirmed during the exercise
that a platoon would be deploying
afterwards to support the Task
Force Belleau Wood Force
Protection Multiple already in
theatre.

Arriving in Jordan in mid-February, after being briefed by 2Lt Forbes that it was the ninth driest
country in the world, many were shocked to be confronted by two days of wind and torrential rain.
Having seen a lot of rain of Afghan winter, it seems the weather follows the Jocks wherever they
go! The weather
soon cleared up
however, and the
company began the
RSOI phase,
zeroing our rifles,
fire and movement
training, an
opportunity to fire
High Explosive
rounds from the
mortar and lessons
on the history and
culture of the
Middle East from
Captain Charlie
Dunn of the Royal
Marines.

Assaye Company completed Ex OLIVE GROVE in Jordan.
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The platoons went back to basics, living in a harbour under ponchos.
Having completed their RSOI and refreshed their basic warfighting skills, the three fighting
platoons began the exercise in earnest. First was the blank firing, where each platoon got back to
basics living in a harbour (albeit a far cry from the miserable wet Brecon woodblocks were used to
setting up in!), and
sending out
Observation Posts
and recce patrols to
identify enemy
positions, before
launching a dawn
attack to destroy
them. Moving onto
live ammunition,
each platoon
progressed from
fire team attacks up
to two extremely
challenging platoon
level attacks.
Before entering the
next phase it was
then time to reset,
with the company
collapsing back to
their Camp for a
well-earned rehab
period.

After the short respite, Assaye Company linked up with our Jordanian counterparts; two platoons
from the Army and one from the Gendarmes, their specialist police force. We deployed out to a
nearby FIBUA village for two days practicing our urban skills and drills together. Both nations were
keen to demonstrate their tactics to one another, and it was interesting to see that while at times
our approaches were very
similar, at others they were
wildly different! Having
rehearsed together, we then
went tactical, working together
to negotiate a tense Counter
Insurgency situation in another
urban training centre. The JAF
then left until the final attack,
with Assaye Company
completing a 21km insertion
tab and a final two days of
reconnaissance. After being
re-joined by the Jordanians we
then completed our final attack
on the FIBUA village, watched
over by the Defence Attach
and a Brigadier from the JAF.

The jocks enjoying the Jordanian scenery.
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Before returning to Germany there was time for a short period of R&R, with the company visiting
Wadi Rum, Petra (taking time to pose for a group photo outside the Indiana Jones treasury), and
finally spending a day on a beach overlooking the Red Sea.
Assaye Company outside Indiana Jones Treasury.


Officer Commanding Ex OLIVE GROVE: Major Cameron Law
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RCBS March and Shoot Competition

After seven months of debate as to who were the better soldiers, British Infantry or United States
Marines, the RCBS Advisor Team decided to host a competition to put the issue to bed. The
banter has been going back and forth throughout the tour, with the Brits saying that the Marines
couldnt run, and the Marines saying that the Brits couldnt shoot. So a competition was devised to
combine both. The ambitious 17.5km route devised by Major Kelmanson was deemed too biased
towards the Brits, so a 7.2km course was agreed upon, along with an advanced close-quarters
marksmanship shoot, with time taken off for every round on target. Invitations were put out to all of
Camp Bastion, allowing teams of four to compete. Four 105mm cartridge casings that had been
used in training ANA forward observers were polished and engraved as trophies.
The first team to set off, The Old and Bald, consisted of three slightly longer-in-the-tooth Marines,
along with Major Kelmanson. It soon became clear that the rumours were true; a pedestrian run
time but an excellent shoot
setting the standard for others
to chase. Lt Col Roddis
turned up with the A-team
from Manoeuvre Battlegroup
and ran one of the fastest
times, proving that theres life
in the old legs yet - also
showing up Captain
Pemberton and his team of
young jocks who came in a
minute slower! 2Lt
Rupasinhas team from 14
Platoon ran the fastest time of
the day and a strong
performance on the range had
many thinking the competition
was wrapped up.
The March and Shoot was extremely well attended by both the British and Americans.
Lt Hill and his team tried to push the pace during the March
phase.
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A succession of teams failed to challenge for the title. Too much Op Massive saw Captain Challis
team This is STERGA off the pace, but looking fantastic nonetheless, and a number of teams
from throughout Camp Bastion couldnt match the 14 Platoon time. With only one team remaining,
2Lt Rupasinhas hands were on the trophy; until Corporal Stewarts team, also from 14 Platoon,
came in only 30 seconds behind. A
good shoot would see them take the
win. All eyes were on the team as
they lined up on the range and once
they had finished firing it was clear
that they had done well. A tense
atmosphere descended on the range
as the results were tallied.
Brigadier General Yoo, Commander
of Regional Command (South West),
arrived to dish out the prizes.
Corporal Stewart and his team had
won it by a nose, only 8 seconds the
difference between the top two
teams. This meant that one round on target had been the only thing separating the two teams.
The General was delighted to see that the winning team constituted a young section commander
and three soldiers, exactly how it should be, and was keen to congratulate Corporal Stewart,
Highlander McCraig, Highlander Lavelle and Highlander McLean on a much deserved victory.

The smooth running of the
competition was down to an
enormous effort from a
dedicated support team, and
Capt Law, WO1 Ingram,
MSgt Willenbecher (USMC)
and Cpl Botto deserve the
highest amount of praise for
a flawlessly executed event.
As for the debate between
US Marines and British
Infantry; the top RCBS team
consisted of two Marines
and two Brits, so the
argument continues. It was
an excellent day of healthy
rivalries and sportsmanship,
and we look forward to
running something similar
on our return to Fallingbostel.
The Advanced Close Quarter
Marksmanship shooting tested
each soldiers ability to effectively
use his rifle and pistol.
The winning team of Corporal Stewart and Highlanders McCraig,
Lavelle and McLean accept their trophies from Brigadier Yoo.
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Recce Platoon CP STERGA 2
This will be the last
contribution to the
Blue Hackle from
STERGA 2 (ST2) as
we look towards our
return home in the
near future. I would
like to take this
opportunity to
extend my thanks to
a number of people.
OC Recce giving the incoming OC ST2 an introductory tutorial on the
Brecon Point, under the watchful eye of the Camp Sergeant Major.
Members of the Recce Platoon sit in over watch of the River Helmand.
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Thank you to all of the 4
SCOTS representatives
within ST2 for their
professionalism, support
and continual hard work
during our deployment. It
only highlights further why
they should take huge
amounts of pride in being
Infantrymen and part of
such a well drilled
organisation. They have
outshone their counterparts
here in ST2 in every area
and I have been extremely
priviledged to have been in
command and associated
with their successes.



Secondly, my thanks go to those back in Fallingbostel and the UK. Your support throughout our
tour, and the thought of coming home to you, far outweighs any financial incentive as we near the
end of a very long commitment. There are no pictures in the papers of the patience and sacrifices
you have made, but without your support I know that the relentless hard work from the jocks here
would have undoubtedly ground to a halt months ago.

There has been
much achieved in
ST2 since our
last update. Not
only have the
scrawniest of
jocks remoulded
their bodies into
what can only be
comparibile to
Hercules, but
operationally
focused training
competitions
have been run to
keep the bodies
guessing.





Corporal Coleman conducting HORN training. It is all too
confusing for some.
The jocks regularly patrol out of STERGA 2.
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Command of ST2 transferred this month from the IX/XII led ISTAR Battlegroup to the Manoeuvre
Battlegroup. It is refreshing to hear the usual
commanders at the end of the phone and the
reassuring Scottish tone.
A team was sent back to Bastion to represent ST2
in the March and Shoot competition organised by
Captain Pemberton. Sergeant Verity was the
team captain for the ST2 contingent and had us
running around the PB and getting our fair share
of rounds down the range in preparation for the
event. The team was not first, but was not last,
and it really is the taking part that counts

The current focus in ST2 is the preparation of the
base for closure by stripping out the unnecessary
luxuries and packing our kit for extraction. Colour
Sergeant Campbell has been cutting about like a
mad man in a JCB, with work parties aiding in his
stirling efforts to keep the camp in the best
condition and well ahead of the curve for
whatever the future holds. His plan
factors in the importance of Welfare
facilities, which he plans to leave in
place until the last safe moment.
The pace of life will not let up now.
The finish line is in sight but the
hard work and concentration must
continue until we return for
normalisation and some well
earned leave. Your support will, as
ever, be appreciated throughout
this time until we are enjoying some
refreshing beverages together in
the not too distant future.



OC Recce Platoon: Captain
Edward Challis

Corporal Charles highlighting his Herculean
chest.
A bracing morning jog with the STERGA 2 running club.
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Op GLANCE Platoon Kandahar

It has been a good few
months since the Op
GLANCE Platoon last
featured in the Blue Hackle.
In that time, a number of the
jocks have returned back to
Germany to deploy with
Assaye Company on
Exercise OLIVE GROVE in
Jordan. The platoons
liaison officer, Lt Badger,
has been replaced by CSgt
Hagger who recently
returned to the Battalion
having finished his posting
at the Operational Training
and Advisory Group. More
recently, Cpl Morell has
been replaced by LCpl
Anthony as the dismount
commander.
During the first couple of months of 2014
there has not been a great variety of work
in terms of actual operations for the
platoon. However, with a fresh set of faces
welcomed to the platoon, we have been
able to keep ourselves busy and most
importantly out of trouble! Over the winter
months the platoon patrolled Highway 4 on
a weekly basis, but now that the next
fighting season is just around the corner this will
undoubtedly increase. The platoon is limited to what
we can actually do during the patrols, but it has,
nevertheless, still given the new jocks an opportunity
to see what Afghanistan really looks like on the
outside.
Highlanders Ferguson, Njorogem, McManus and Shepherd fire
the MP5.
Corporal Francis and his new toy.
Highlander Gerrard absolutely loves the rowing
machine (right).
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Sgt Parker and I have been kept busy keeping the platoon entertained. With an abundance of free
time on our hands, fitness has been a large focus with most of the platoon managing two gym
sessions per day. The platoon has also taken advantage of KAFs excellent sports facilities; at
least once a week playing football on the American-made AstroTurf pitch. LCpls Bearman and
Gray found themselves on an in-theatre Spinning qualification held in the British gym. This has
allowed them to take Spin classes for the platoon a number of times each week. It is much
appreciated by the Jocks as the cool, air-conditioned environment within the gym is far preferred to
the hot and dusty conditions outside.

In April the platoon competed in its own
Superstars event, similar to that run by
the Manoeuvre Battlegroup in Bastion at
the beginning of the year. At first, the
thought of a 1.5 mile best effort run as
the first event raised some eyebrows
within the platoon, but as usual, in the
end the jocks were swayed and a fun,
action packed day was had by all.

Contrary to belief, the platoon doesnt just phys all day long! Since the last update, we have
conducted two pre-cadres for the jocks. In a two week package the jocks have been able to brush
up on their basic military skills as well as gaining an understanding of the roles and responsibilities
of a junior commander. The first of these was held to the end of last year. The jocks found
themselves learning how to
give Explain, Demonstrate,
Imitate and Practice lessons,
PowerPoint presentations and
how to guide their way around
a navigation exercise. The first
cadre was such a success that
we ran a second one in March
in order to give the new jockery
the benefit.

Time is now marching on. KAF
itself is slowly starting to close
down around us as part of the
drawdown of forces in the area.
With the platoon busy assisting
in this drawdown, before we
know it; it will be time to return
to Germany.

Officer Commanding Op GLANCE FP Platoon: Lt Ross Pearson
Highlander Hackshaw; determined
to push out some final reps on the
leg phase of SUPERSTARS.
Physical problem solving challenges are an excellent way to
demonstrate command and control of your team.
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Delta Company, The Clan
Delta Company have been fully involved in Battlegroup
operations over the last 6 weeks. The company had a
short period of rehabilitation in Bastion after the closure
of Main Operating Base Price. This enabled us to catch
up with ourselves and ensure all management
procedures were correctly in place for the vehicles and
equipment. Since then we have conducted various
operations to protect the freedom of movement along
Highway 1, disrupt insurgent activity in the Qasim
Bazaar, conduct a link up operation with the BRF, escort
a resupply convoy to Sterga 2, and manage an operation
to blow up 60 tonnes of unstable ammunition!
Delta Company Group on their way to Sterga 2.
Members of 15 Platoon (left) and 14 Platoon (below) on
patrol during recent operations.
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Through all these operations, the company has been developing its tactics and procedures for
working with Mastiffs. The vehicle has proved to be very resilient with few mechanical problems; it
has also proved to be exceptionally versatile, able to manoeuvre well in difficult terrain and support
a number of different types of operation. This bodes well for the Battalions future role.

It has not just been
operations keeping
the company busy.
In March, Cpl
Stewart and his team
won an excellent
March and Shoot
competition
organised by Major
Kelmanson and his
team. On Easter
Sunday, Lt Ross, Lt
Hill, Cpl McDermott
and Hldr Shayo
completed the
Warthog Marathon,
a gruelling marathon
in the hot and dusty
conditions of
Bastion. Company
fitness also goes
from strength to
strength with Hldrs
Cunniffe and Mackie
leading the way on
Op MASSIVE.

Officer Commanding Delta Company: Major Will Colquhoun



The Mastiff vehicles are proving to be a real asset to the Battlegroup.
The company conducted Helicopter Assault Force (HAF) training.
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Assaye Company

Life has continued at some pace for Assaye Company throughout April. After a successful
Exercise in Jordan, the companys focus has switched to a number of new tasks on the horizon.
Twenty five jocks have deployed to Afghanistan in support of Lt Gourds multiple in Bastion. Many
of those deploying are doing so for the first time increasing the number of new medallists in the
company.
The remainder of the company have
begun to make head roads into their
MATTs, a series of annual tests that
every soldier must pass in the
training year. Drill lessons have also
started, though the jocks enthusiasm
does not seem to match that of the
CSMs! This is in preparation for
several parades that will take place in
Germany and Scotland over the
coming months.

The Sikh members of the company
have received a visit from the Armys
Sikh Chaplain, Mrs Mandeep Kaur.
Based in Shrewsbury, Mrs Kaur has
been touring British Forces Germany
The trophies waiting to be won!
The bouts were hard fought; blow for blow.
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to offer spiritual guidance and a chance for them to discuss religious affairs.

The boxing team have gone on leave after a successful night at the Regimental Boxing. We won 3
of 6 bouts and unfortunately had 1 bout cancelled due to time constraints. No doubt we would
have won that as well! Post-leave there is an aspiration to enter some of the squad into the Army
Individuals.

The boxers will also be involved in
a new recruiting task that has
come our way. Along with 30
Assay Company jocks, under the
command of Captain Stark, they
will deploy to Scotland for the next
few months. They will be
responsible for 1/3 of Scotlands
entire landmass in an attempt to
recruit from our traditional
antecedent areas in the Highlands
and Island, Moray and
Aberdeenshire. They will be
based out of Fort George in
Inverness and Peterhead in
Aberdeenshire. This is part of an
overall drive to recruit more young
men into the Regiment across
Scotland.


Company Second in Command:
Captain Frazer Stark


Seeing stars
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4 SCOTS in the Media

The Duke of Edinburgh is to travel to Fallingbostel on 12th June to present medals to the 4th
Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it was announced this month. Prince Philip, who
will have celebrated his 93rd birthday just two days before the trip, has been royal colonel of
the battalion since 2006 when the regiment known as the Highlanders was amalgamated into
the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Duke of Edinburgh will present our medals

The Highlanders have been receiving a large amount of coverage this month on the UK Forces in
Afghanistans Facebook page. Run by the Combat Camera Team here in Helmand, members of 4
SCOTS have been the Photograph of the day at least twice each week. Like the page so you
dont miss out!

UK Forces in Afghanistan Facebook Page

At the end of March, all six Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland gathered at Meadowbank
Stadium in Edinburgh for the biggest boxing event in our history. It has been eight years since the
Scottish infantry regiments amalgamated and there was much unit pride at stake. The
Highlanders Boxing Team had spent weeks preparing for the bouts and 4 SCOTS had an amazing
contribution to the event; with a fighter in every bout.

Boxing History for Royal Regiment of Scotland

Although the Manoeuvre Battlegroup bids farewell to the Estonian Company this month, BFBS
have spent some time with them to see how well they work as part of the coalition. Despite having
a population of just 1.3 million, Estonia has around 200 soldiers serving alongside the British in
Helmand Province.

Estonians Serving with the British in Afghanistan









To keep fully up to date with all thats happening in theatre follow us on Hectors Welfare
Facebook page, The Royal Regiment of Scotland Facebook page and the 4 SCOTS
JustGiving site.


All links must be accessed through open source internet. They will not work on Dii, RLI or MS.
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Other Photographs This Month
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