28349/9SOLDIERS from Warminster barracks are finishing anti-terrorist training ahead of a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

The Black Watch are heading back to the Gulf on Sunday after completing three months as the training regiment at the Land Warfare Centre.

The 500-strong regiment was one of the first to liberate the city of Basra during the war last year but has now been handed a peacekeeping role.

All soldiers have been given full desert equipment ahead of deployment to prevent shortages other regiments reported last summer.

Training has also included the proper treatment of prisoners and linguistic and cultural exercises.

Commanding Officer Lt Col James Cowan said: "It is difficult to predict what is going to happen in Iraq.

"But we are ready to do whatever is requested and we feel honoured to serve the Crown.

"I don't think we are going back there too quickly. We have had the longest period of rest of any battalion in the army.

"It's a nice surprise rather than something people are worried about."

Last year the Black Watch were hailed for being one of the first battalions into the southern city of Basra.

This time the regiment, which recruits from central Scotland, will take on peacekeeping operations in the volatile town of Al Amarah.

Lt Col Cowan said: "We learnt a great deal last time but the situation in Iraq has moved on and we are now peacekeepers with a new UN mandate.

"I won't put my men at risk but I would rather we wouldn't wear helmets.

"The aim is to de-escalate conflict and show we can be peacekeepers, but there comes a time if people are throwing bricks at you then you must put the helmets back on."

Since the regiment was told it was to be sent back to the region three weeks ago, anti-terrorist and peacekeeping training has been stepped up.

Soldiers have been taking part in operations on Salisbury Plain to search vehicles driven by suspected terrorists and set up checkpoints.

The regiment has also been told it must adhere to new UN guidelines on the treatment of prisoners to avoid recent scandals where other soldiers have come under fire for abusing detainees.

On Sunday 140 men from the Black Watch will set off to Iraq and the regiment will be fully deployed by August.

The Kings Regiment is replacing the Black Watch at Warminster barracks.