Editing Black Watch (section)

== Modern day ==
[[File:Soldiers from 3 Scots Deploy from a Chinook Helicopter in Afghanistan MOD 45151987.jpg|thumb|right|Soldiers from 3 Scots (The Black Watch) deploy from a [[Chinook helicopter]] at the start of an anti-narcotics operation in [[Sangin]], Afghanistan, in 2009.]] 
During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|2003 Iraq War]], the Black Watch fought during [[Operation Telic]] in the initial attack on [[Basra]], and during its deployment, the unit suffered a single fatality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lance-corporal-barry-stephen|title=Lance Corporal Barry Stephen|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=24 March 2003|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810165119/https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lance-corporal-barry-stephen|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the Black Watch was dispatched to [[Iraq]] again, as part of [[4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East|4 (Armoured) Brigade]]. On 12 August, a soldier from the regiment was killed as a result of an [[improvised explosive device]] (IED).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-marc-ferns|title=Private Marc Ferns|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=14 August 2004|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810155715/https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-marc-ferns|url-status=live}}</ref> In October, the Black Watch was at the centre of political controversy after the [[United States Army]] requested British forces to be moved further north, outside of the British-controlled [[Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq)|Multi-National Division (South East)]], to replace forces temporarily redeployed for the [[Second Battle of Fallujah]]. Despite objections in [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Parliament]], the deployment went ahead. Based at Camp Dogwood, located between [[Fallujah]] and [[Karbala]], in an area later dubbed the "[[Triangle of Death (Iraq)|Triangle of Death]]", the Black Watch came under sustained [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–11)|insurgent]] attack from [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] and rockets. On 29 October, during the journey to their new base, a Black Watch soldier was killed in a road accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-kevin-mchale|title=Private Kevin McHale|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=1 November 2004|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810154030/https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-kevin-mchale|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 November, three soldiers and an interpreter were killed by a car bomb at a [[Security checkpoint|check point]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/sergeant-stuart-gray|title=3 British soldiers killed in Iraq|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=6 November 2004|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810163714/https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/sergeant-stuart-gray|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 8 November, another soldier was killed: the high-profile nature of the deployment caused a magnification of these events back home in Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-pita-tukutukuwaqa|title=Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=10 November 2004|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810145502/https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/private-pita-tukutukuwaqa|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under a plan devised by [[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]] [[Alistair Irwin]] and approved by [[Mike Jackson (British Army officer)|General Sir Mike Jackson]], on 16 December 2004, it was announced that the Black Watch was to join with five other Scottish regiments – the [[Royal Scots]], the [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], the [[Royal Highland Fusiliers]], [[The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)|The Highlanders]] and the [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] – to form the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]], a single regiment consisting of five regular and two territorial battalions. The measure, which reflected recruiting difficulties and the inefficiencies inherent in maintaining a number of relatively small separate units, took place on 28 March 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/black-watch.html|title=Black Watch|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427134043/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/black-watch.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Black Watch were retained following intervention from [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/dec/07/military.monarchy|title=Queen steps into Black Watch row|date=7 December 2004|website=The Guardian|access-date=12 July 2021|archive-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712093310/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/dec/07/military.monarchy|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2007 the battalion moved from [[Palace Barracks]] in [[Belfast]] to [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland.html|title=The Royal Regiment of Scotland|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324171444/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 June 2009, it was reported that elements of the battalion numbering about 350 troops carried out one of the largest [[air assault]] operations of the NATO troops in Afghanistan, named [[Operation Panther's Claw]],<ref name="mod.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3ScotsLaunchMassiveAirAssault.htm |title=3 SCOTS launch massive air assault, UK MOD |publisher=Mod.uk |access-date=6 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507093120/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3ScotsLaunchMassiveAirAssault.htm |archive-date=7 May 2010}}</ref> by deploying into and attacking a Taliban stronghold located near Bābājī (باباجی ), north of [[Lashkar Gah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-23-voa31.cfm |title=NATO Troops Stage Air Assault on Taliban Stronghold in Southern Afghanistan |first=Catherine |last=Maddux |publisher=VOA News |date=23 June 2009 |access-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625175841/http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-06-23-voa31.cfm |archive-date=25 June 2009}}</ref> The operation commenced on 19 June just before midnight.<ref name="mod.uk"/> After a number of combat engagements with the insurgents, the soldiers of the battalion secured three main crossing points: the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing, the Nahr-e-Burgha canal and the Shamalan canal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090623/twl-uk-troops-in-huge-air-assault-on-tal-3fd0ae9.html |title=UK Troops In Huge Air Assault On Taliban |publisher=SkyNews |date=2009 |access-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624151545/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090623/twl-uk-troops-in-huge-air-assault-on-tal-3fd0ae9.html |archive-date=24 June 2009}}</ref> Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of The Black Watch battalion, was reported saying that this operation established a firm foothold in what was the last remaining Taliban area controlled in the southern [[Helmand Province]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afghanmania.com/en/board/topic/british-forces-target-taliban-stronghold|title=British Forces Target Taliban Stronghold|publisher=Afghan Mania|date=2010|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924060751/http://www.afghanmania.com/en/board/topic/british-forces-target-taliban-stronghold|url-status=live}}</ref> The location of the Taliban force in the area had allowed it to conduct attacks on the A01 highway, a major national route connecting [[Kandahar]] and [[Herat]]. During 22 June, troops of the battalion also "found 1.3 tonnes of poppy seed and a number of improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines before they could be laid."<ref name="mod.uk"/> Analysis by the United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization|Food and Agriculture Organisation]] revealed the haul to be of [[mung bean]]s, not poppy seed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Opium crop haul just a hill of beans, admits MoD |author=Boone, Jon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/30/kabul-opium-haul-british-military |work=[[guardian.co.uk]] |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=4 July 2009 |archive-date=6 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906200411/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/30/kabul-opium-haul-british-military |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[Army 2020 Refine]] reorganisation, the battalion was to remain at [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]] until 2023 where it was to move to another barracks in Scotland. This would later be changed in 2021 with the battalion to relocate to [[Leuchars Station|Leuchars]] in 2029 instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/2767464/defence-chiefs-pledge-to-grow-kinloss-barracks-and-leuchars-station/|title=Black Watch set for Leuchars move in 2029|website=thecourier.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2024-11-06}}</ref> Following the reorganisation, the battalion was equipped with the [[Ocelot (vehicle)|Foxhound light mechanised vehicle]]. The battalion was also moved under the command of the [[51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland/|title=Royal Regiment of Scotland|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-09|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107194152/http://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland.html|title=British Army units from 1945 on - Royal Regiment of Scotland|website=british-army-units1945on.co.uk|access-date=2019-10-09|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324171444/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-regiment-of-scotland.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the later part of 2023 the battalion was subordinated to [[11th Security Force Assistance Brigade|11th Security Forces Assistance Brigade]] in [[Aldershot Garrison|Aldershot]]. The battalion was reduced to 301 personnel, in line with a Security Forces Assistance Battalion order of battle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/formations-divisions-brigades/1st-united-kingdom-division/11th-security-force-assistance-brigade/|title= 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=6 November 2024}}</ref>

11th SFA Brigade was redesignated 11th Brigade in 2024, transitioning back to [[Field Army Troops]], with the combat role of tactical recce-strike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOLDIER - December 2024 |url=https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=1a92be17-44b0-4dd4-b740-89057cd9a275 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk |page=15 |language=en-US}}</ref>