British Army troops from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), have taken part in a major multinational exercise in Hawaii, working alongside American and Indonesian partners at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) 25-01.
Held at Schofield Barracks and across Oahu, Hawaii, the exercise marked one of the most demanding training environments the unit has faced, simulating conditions and operational complexities found in the Indo-Pacific theatre.
The JPMRC is the US Army’s newest Combat Training Center, designed to “generate readiness in the environments and conditions where our forces are most likely to operate.” The exercise brought together soldiers from across the US Joint Force as well as key allies and partners, including Indonesia and the UK.
During the exercise, 3 SCOTS soldiers trained in jungle warfare, movement under fire, and combat drills in unfamiliar terrain. In one particularly poignant moment, Pvt. Cameron Taylor played “When the Battle’s O’er” on the bagpipes after a successful assault operation, a reminder of the regiment’s deep traditions even amid modern multinational manoeuvres.
Throughout the exercise, 3 SCOTS conducted tactical movements, set ambush positions, and built escape routes, enhancing their readiness for expeditionary operations in challenging terrain. Pvt. Epeli Boginisoko was photographed taking point during one such manoeuvre, demonstrating the battalion’s hands-on leadership approach in complex scenarios.
The spirit of international partnership was also on display. Lance Corporal Mark Main of 3 SCOTS was photographed standing side-by-side with counterparts from the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the US Army to symbolise unity. A plaque commemorating the collective effort was presented to honour the cooperation and shared learning between 3 SCOTS and the US Army’s 6th Battalion, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
The UK’s presence at JPMRC 25-01 underscores Britain’s commitment to security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, supporting the UK’s Integrated Review goals of greater engagement in the region.
Make the most of it Anna – you won’t be on here much longer!
So the US admits it cannot even defend Hawaii now
“3 SCOTS soldiers trained in jungle warfare, movement under fire, and combat drills in unfamiliar terrain.”
I wonder if this is a Geroge-ism (no offence) or official release because all Infantry (all teeth arms, and the vast majority of CS and CSS too) in the Army should be trained in movement under fire, and combat drills in unfamiliar terrain. That’s baseline stuff. Jungle Warfare should be in the repetoire of every battalions as well, through their JWICs, and OTX’s.
Anyway, a few points to note about this exercise:
1) 3 SCOTS is part of 11 Brigade, formerly an SFAB battalion, now re-rolling into Recce Strike, and by it’s nature aiming to work as a partnered force. Hence why they’re working with 6th Btn, 5th SFAB Bde, and the Indonesians.
2) Interesting that they are working with 5th SFAB, which suggests they haven’t completely shed the SFA role yet (though that might be something to come in the future).
3) The Article, and probably the source, mentions “troops from 3 SCOTS” but doesn’t mention how many, giving the impression that 3 Scots deployed as a whole. Given the readyness cycles 11 SFA goes through that’s very unlikely, but I’d be interested to see if it was a Company Group or a Platoon Group (or whatever the SFA’s call their platoon equivilents if they have them). From the little I know about how 11 SFA worked I think they put a much heavier emphasis on Coy or Platoon strength deployments compared to their SpecInf predecessor (which emphasies the ODA style 11-12 operator team that they carried forwards into Rangers). Given the OC and CSM appear to be in one of the pics, I’m guessing Coy Group? But you never know, they might have shown up for a visit while a smaller force exercised.
4) Good to see the MoD cheaped out and didn’t pay for 3 Scots to take their rifles with them to Hawaii, and that they had to borrow M4’s off the Americans. A nice lark for a unit that’s still on L85, and fun to play on a different weapon system, but doesn’t look great when you need to beg borrow and steal off the hosts (having had to do the same back in the day). Wonder if they had to borrow American Radios as well.
JPMRC 25-01….This article says “Jack went to the Pacific island with 15 other soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s 3rd Battalion (3 SCOTS).” so I guess 16 total?
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6628428/aberdeenshire-soldier-royal-regiment-of-scotland-hawaii/
So either a Team + or a Platoon – depending on how 3 Scots organise themselves.
More in depth than the article itself 👌🏾
Which article have you submitted?
George covers every subject that comes across his desk, I just mouth off about the things I happen to know about in detail and keep quiet on other things. It’s hardly a fair comparison.
Same.
Slightly OT,it is interesting to see the Indonesian Soldiers still using DPM ,compared to our MTP -both have some utility in the environment they are pictured in but neither look perfect to my eyes.