By Rob McLaren

MEMBERS OF Royal Marine Reserve Scotland have been training at Barry Buddon army camp near Monifieth in preparation for being deployed to Afghanistan.

Five reservists and their six Canadian colleagues have been training together to support the UK and Canadian Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) missions in Helmand and Kandahar.

CIMIC personnel on operations act as advisers in support of the military commander on the mission.

They advise on how the civil environment will impact on various military missions and vice versa, whilst also liaising with national and local government, as well as non-governmental agencies and international organisations, to ensure that operations are carried out successfully.

They deploy in small teams on the ground acting as the liaison with the civil community.

The next batch of marine reserves will be deployed to Afghanistan in October.

The officer in charge of the Scottish reservists, Lieutenant Colonel Mark McKinney, explained what the training week at Barry Buddon has involved.

He said, “It’s a refresher course designed to enable our troops to carry out a CIMIC role on behalf of 52 Scottish Brigade in Afghanistan.

“The emphasis is still heavily on security and being able to defend ourselves in potentially hostile environments.

“Therefore, weapons training is a key theme of the week with two days being spent on the rifle range.

“As well as practical demonstrations and lectures, there will be a final three-day exercise this weekend.

“The exercise involves the manning and running of a CIMIC house where anyone can come in safety to establish relations with the military forces and engender greater co-operation.

“The aim is to assist the Afghan national government to extend its influence in these provinces and aid the reconstruction effort for the benefit of the local population.”

Major Sanchez King, operations officer Atlantic Canada CIMIC Unit, served for a year in Kandahar.

He said, “This week we have had a chance to see how the Royal Marine Reserves do their business. Since we are all working together in southern Afghanistan we have forged better bonds.”

Corporal Jim Roberts, from Dundee, is one of the marine reserves who have been trained this week.

He said, “We have been training with weapons and going through the CIMIC course. The Scots and Canadians have been getting to know each other.”