Highlanders win gruelling competition

Published on Tuesday 22 December 2009 21:56

AN ELITE team of British soldiers beat special forces from around the world to win a gruelling competition in the driest place on Earth.

The eight-man unit from the Highlanders (4 Scots) picked up the gold medal in the Chilean Patrol Competition before their recent deployment to the Falkland Islands.

They saw off specialist units from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Paraguay to win the prestigious event.

The team, lead by Captain Neil Cargill, 28, from Aberdeen, faced some of the most inhospitable and driest land in the world as they took part in the 50km, 48-hour tactical foot patrol through the Atacama desert in Chile.

Carrying 12 litres of water each as well as 80lb of kit, the team collected the most points in the two-day event, which is highly regarded in military circles.

Captain Cargill said: "It was a very challenging patrol, each man was pushed to his limits and every individual to their wall at some point.

"Everyone was exhausted, but the comradeship and humour of the team pulled everybody through to the end."

They were assessed on planning, debrief process, minefield crossing, anti-ambush drills and medical triage and evacuation.

Cpt Cargill added: "It was an excellent experience and chance to work closely alongside and interact with other armies.

"The team scored so highly in all aspects there was immense interest from the other international teams, who all wanted to learn from our tactics.

"Even the Americans were keen to learn from our patrol."