Riflemen prized as specialist troops of courage and skill: 3rd battalion, the Rifles

As the spearhead battalion of The Rifles, the largest infantry regiment in the British Army, 3 RIFLES' fast reaction abilities see it deployed to trouble spots across the globe.

That role led the Redford Barracks-based battalion to suffer severe losses during its recent engagement in Afghanistan, where it lost 16 members of the battlegroup, including the worst losses endured by a unit since 1945.

Although not belonging to a traditional Edinburgh regiment - most of its recruits come from Yorkshire and the north-east of England - it has been adopted by the city since moving to Redford. Evening News readers were among those to send Christmas treats to the soldiers when they were in Afghanistan 18 months ago.

Created in its current form in 2007, The Rifles traces its heritage back to the Peninsular War and has been portrayed in the TV series Sharpe.

Soldiers of The Rifles are known as riflemen, rather than privates, and are prized as specialist troops of courage and skill.

Although separate from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 3 RIFLES frequently engages in operations with other city battalions.

Some 17 of its soldiers were awarded honours for their bravery in April 2010 for battling insurgents and safeguarding communities in the Sangin and Kajaki areas of Helmand province, Afghanistan.

3 RIFLES also recently deployed to the Lebanon and typically conducts overseas exercises in jungle and arctic environments in order to meet its spearhead requirement.

• 3 RIFLES servicemen and women wear a silver horn cap badge on a green beret, instead of a Tam o'Shanter, and trousers, not kilts or trews, to distinguish themselves as The Rifles.