FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland has officially assumed its role as the Resident Infantry Battalion in Dhekelia, following a formal handover ceremony at Alexander Barracks.
The unit replaces 1 Rifles, which concluded its two-year deployment on the island, according to BFBS.
Nearly 500 soldiers and their families will now call Cyprus home, with the battalion tasked with maintaining high readiness for potential operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and surrounding regions.
“We’re an acclimatised infantry battalion in a part of the world that regularly hits the news for various conflicts and crises,” said Lt. Col. Gordon Muir, commanding officer of 4 Scots. “We’re here ready to stand by and to support defence as and when required.”
The battalion relocated from Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire and may be deployed for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions beyond Cyprus. Muir described the posting as “an exciting time with lots of new challenges.”
The ceremonial transition included the raising of the regimental flag and the traditional sound of bagpipes, marking the battalion’s arrival in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.