'Ready For Warfighting': 3 SCOTS In Training Ahead Of NATO Duties

Hundreds of soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are taking part in a training camp ahead of joining the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

Around 350 soldiers are taking part in company attack drills to ensure they are sharp and ready when it comes to joining the task force.

3 SCOTS, known as The Black Watch will join units from other allies in ensuring any threats to the Alliance’s borders or any emergency can be met with a swift military response.

"There is a lot of moving parts... everybody has got to know what they have got to do and when," said Private Fraser Burnett.

For two weeks, the unit has been in Warcop Training Camp on exercises during the day and night.

They have also been sharpening marksmanship and tactical movement on daily live ammunition shoots.

"The guys need to be on point and accurate with their shooting," explained Sergeant Alan Paton.

The battalion is also training with mounted the heavy machine guns which provide fire support.

The Black Watch was deployed on Operation Shader to provide support to security forces in Iraq last year and personnel say they are please to back in training.

"It's good to be ready for warfighting, ready for our core job," said Major Finlay Anderson.

"It feels good to be at that level of training."

3 SCOTS will continue training day and night in Cumbria for another week before heading to Salisbury Plain and to continue their preparation on Exercise Wessex Storm.

They will begin their NATO role in 2020.