SEVERAL hundred British troops returned to their home base in Cyprus in heavy rain yesterday after a six-week tour of duty in Iraq that they believe left at least their part of the country in better shape.
A British military spokesman said the 325 troops, from the 2nd Battalion Light Infantry, would be replaced by a similar number from Britain and their return did not mark the start of a cutback in the 12,000 British troops in Iraq.
The troops were based in and around the southern Iraqi city of Basra, the main area controlled by British forces, guarding power lines, water pipes and other infrastructure.
“The entire operation went extremely well,” the troops’ commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ted Shields told Reuters.
“I believe it (Basra area) is a little bit more stable now. And if I can compare it to places like Bosnia and Kosovo, there is a lot more business and commerce going on. It is staggering.”
The troops flew from Basra to Akrotiri and then travelled 100 km by bus to reunite with loved ones in typical British weather — the rain poured down — at Britain’s other base at Dhekelia.
“The rotation does not signify any impact on the total number of British troops committed to Iraq,” Captain Tim Shaw said. “As far as numbers go the same numbers will be maintained in theatre.”
Captain Shaw said the 325 troops went to Basra on an ‘emergency tour’ rather than the six months most British troops spend in Iraq or the 12 months that US forces spend there.
The group suffered no casualties during their time in Iraq.
“Six weeks is long enough,” said Heather Blades, whose husband Private Rob Blades from Sheffield left when their daughter Cameron was only four weeks old.
“I was worried about him all the time particularly because our baby was so young. I didn’t want him to go but I knew he had to,” she said.
The 12-year-old son of Sergeant Major Alan Dixon from Swindon also said he missed his father greatly.
“But I wanted him to go. It was his job, his duty,” Thomas said. “I was a bit afraid for him but he managed to email and phone me often so that made it better.”
But the homecoming scene on Halloween’s Night was stolen by three-year-old Rebekah who, dressed as a little devil with horns, shouted to her father Corporal Ronald Lloyd: “Did you get the big, bad man Daddy?”
His reply was a hug and kiss on her forehead. (R)
