Scottish soldiers prepare for NATO deployment to Estonia with urban combat drills | UK News

Troops from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been taking part in urban combat drills as they prepare to deploy to the Baltic states for a major NATO exercise.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 Scots), will form part of Exercise Spring Storm, a large-scale, multinational event 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.

Ahead of their deployment, the troops have spent weeks on Exercise Black Cyclone and have been 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 soldiers “physically and mentally” through a series of high-intensity scenarios – including 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.

Fusilier Evan Slater, from North Lanarkshire, will be taking part in his first overseas exercise.

Having joined the regiment in January this year, the 18-year-old 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.”

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He said 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 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.

He said: “Exercise Black Cyclone has given our soldiers a strong foundation for what is to come.

“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.”