Scottish soldiers tackle urban combat drills ahead of Estonia deployment

Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been taking part in urban combat drills as they prepare to deploy to Eastern Europe as part of a major Nato exercise.

Troops from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 Scots), are set to travel to Estonia for Exercise Spring Storm, a large-scale, multinational exercise near the Russian border.

Bringing together allied forces from across Europe, the exercise will test their combat readiness, while supporting the assessment of the Estonian armed forces and strengthening regional defences.

In the lead-up, soldiers have spent weeks on Exercise Black Cyclone, training across the north of England in preparation for the harsh terrain and conditions they are likely to face in Estonia.

The training pushed the troops “physically and mentally” through a series of high-intensity scenarios – ranging from live firing on the ranges to urban combat drills and helicopter exercises using a Chinook aircraft, designed to reflect the scenarios they could encounter overseas.

Among those deploying is 18-year-old Fusilier Evan Slater, from Viewpark, North Lanarkshire, who will be taking part in his first overseas exercise.

Having joined the regiment in January this year, the soldier said it has been an intense introduction to life in an infantry battalion.

“It was hard, fast and aggressive, but it’s been good to get straight into it,” he said.

“You’re learning new skills all the time instead of doing the same thing over and over again.

“The urban training was probably my favourite part. I got to be point man, going through the door first, which I’d never done before.”

He added that the conditions in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, were among the toughest parts of the exercise.

“It was freezing,” he said. “But being from Scotland, I’m kind of used to that, so it wasn’t too bad.”

Having completed his initial training, Fusilier Slater said he is now focused on getting out on exercise abroad and putting his preparation into practice.

“I’ve been going to the gym more to prepare, especially for the extra pack weight we’ll be carrying,” he said.

“It’s my first time going away on exercise, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Lieutenant Damian Light, 2 Scots, said the training had been key to preparing soldiers for what will be a “different challenge” from what they are used to.

“Exercise Black Cyclone has given our soldiers a strong foundation for what is to come,” he said,

“2 Scots have deployed to Estonia before but this will be a different challenge.

“The scale will be greater, the conditions will be tougher and the expectations will be higher.

“This training has been designed to reflect that. It has pushed our soldiers physically and mentally, ensuring they are ready to operate alongside Nato allies in a demanding and realistic environment.”

The deployment builds on the regiment’s recent experience working with Nato allies in Eastern Europe, including Exercise Hedgehog, which was featured in BBC documentary The Troops, following the battalion on deployment in Estonia last year.

It comes as the regiment marks its 20th anniversary with a series of events around Scotland.