| The British
Ministry of Defense announced today (February 26, 2007) that
the UK will deploy an additional force of approximately 1,400
troops to southern Afghanistan at NATO's request. This will
bring the total number of UK forces in Afghanistan to around
7,700 personnel. The UK will provide a maneuver battalion for
Regional Command (South), an area which covers Helmand, the
base and responsibility of the existing UK taskforce, but also
the strategically vital neighboring province of Kandahar, plus
the further provinces of Oruzgan, Zabol, Nimruz and Daykondi.
The battlegroup will comprise elements of an infantry battalion,
augmented with a company of Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles
and additional artillery units. Units to deploy include the
1st Battalion the Royal Welsh Regiment, the 1st Battalion Scots
Guards equipped with Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles, fire
support units from the 19th Regiment Royal and 5th Regiment
Royal ArtilleryArtillery and 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, equipped
with Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). The air elements
will include four additional Harrier GR9s to enhance close air
support, the 846 Naval Air Squadron will deploy four Sea King
helicopters. Another C-130 Hercules will also join to support
the British forces in the region.
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