THE Government has ordered nearly every soldier from Catterick Garrison to relieve battle-worn troops.

Almost every operational unit based at the garrison will be flown out to the Gulf in July to take over from soldiers who fought the battles that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime.

The 600 men serving with the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards in Basra, have been told they will begin returning home to Catterick Garrison within the month.

After a period of leave, the regiment will begin preparations for a posting to Germany. The North Yorkshire units heading for the Gulf are part of 19 Mechanised Brigade - currently serving as the British Army's high-readiness unit following the high-intensity training in Canada last October.

"This is the kind of challenge all the soldiers have been looking forward to for several months," said brigade commander, Brigadier Bill Moore.

"They will be able to draw on their experiences from operational tours in places such as Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone and Kosovo.

"I am confident in the ability of all the soldiers within the brigade to undertake successfully any mission they are tasked to do.

"It will test their mettle, skills and experience."