THE former Devon and Dorsets will be deployed to Afghanistan in April.
The unit is now called the 1st Battalion The Rifles and was last sent to the country over the winter of 2008/09.
The men will go out as part of 3 Commando Brigade, and will spend six months in Helmand province.
The regulars will be joined by 70 TA soldiers from 6 Rifles.
During the previous deployment the battalion's role was to train the Afghan National Army, Major Jonny Kitson, the second in command, SAID: “We are under no illusions that things have moved on, the equipment has changed, the tactics have changed, and most importantly the enemy’s tactics have changed.
“Now we are also focusing on the Afghan population and assisting them to take control of their own country.”
The battalion has been training with Afghanistan in mind since the summer but defence minister Dr Liam Fox made the formal announcement yesterday.
During January, the men will train at a mock Afghan village in Norfolk and later take part in brigade scale manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain.
Major Kitson asked people to visit the regiment’s wristband appeal at the website www.swiftandbold.org
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