UK Ministry of Defence,
Defence Secretary John Reid has announced that the UK military presence in Iraq will reduce by about 800 personnel, following the next roulement of British forces in May.
The Secretary of State said that the reduction in overall numbers was not part of a handover of security responsibilities to the Iraqis, but instead reflected the completion of some security sector reform tasks – developing the Iraqi security forces capabilities, for example by training the trainers and those guarding institutions. It also reflected improvements in the configuration of UK forces.
In the statement, made to Parliament on 13 March 2006, Mr Reid explained that the lead UK formation in Iraq, currently 7th Armoured Brigade, would be replaced in early May by 20th Armoured Brigade.
The major units that will be deployed to replace those currently in theatre will be:
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (from 20 Brigade, Osnabruck)
The Queen
