THEIR work is almost done.

Hampshire soldiers are part way through what is set to be an historic tour of Iraq as British forces prepare to pull out of the country this summer.

It is a journey that the Commanding Officer of the “Armoured Tigers” says has been a privilege as his men have seen first hand how peace has returned to the once war-torn city of Basra.

It was back in late last year when more than 350 members of The 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1PWRR) arrived in Iraq for their third tour of the country.

The security and stability in Basra witnessed over recent months has led Prime Minister Gordon Brown to announce that UK forces will withdraw from Iraq by the summer, once the Armoured Tigers have helped to complete the training of thousands of troops from the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Sykes said: “Our work in Iraq is now almost done. It will have been a quiet but fulfilling and worthwhile tour and the battalion feels privileged to witness the peace and early stages of prosperity returning to Basra.

“It has been a distinctly different operational period to the tours of the recent past. It feels historic as we prepare to transition to a well-established, equipped and trained Iraqi Army.”

Explaining the role of his troops, Lt Col Sykes said: “Our role has changed from taking the fight to the enemy to supporting the Iraqi Security Forces. The situation is remarkably stable, there is very little violence in Basra and the local people are able to get on with their lives in relative normality for the first time in years.

“Some of us are fortunate to be embedded with and work alongside the Iraqi Army in small groups in Basra. It has been a fascinating opportunity to learn much about Arab culture and to assist the Iraqi Army with training and access to air and aviation support. “Meanwhile A Company are working with the Strike Battle Group and, in concert with Iraqi Army plans, patrol the deserts and marshes surrounding Basra to deter and prevent terrorist attacks.”

The Iraq deployment has seen the Tigers concentrating their efforts on training and mentoring the Iraqi Army, with specific responsibility for advising the 50th Brigade based at Basra’s former Naval Base.

During the Provincial Elections at the end of last month, the troops’ base at the central city barracks witnessed all of the planning and preparation done by the Iraqi Army.

One of the mentors, Major Adrian Grinonneau, added: “Our role was pretty limited as the Iraqi Army dominated the security plan, working alongside the Iraqi Police Service. “We were limited to being on call and available should the army or police need our help, but the day itself went by thankfully without incident and we retained a very low profile.”

Conditions at the Iraqi barracks are relatively cramped and basic, with little entertainment for the troops between duties other than the odd board game or card tournament.

Major Grinonneau added: “All of us live, work, sleep, rest and eat in the same room within the Iraqi Army base. Life is pretty rustic and the opportunities to leave the one large room we occupy are limited using the small gym area we have created to the rear of the building. “Despite all of this, we call it home and there are few other places in theatre we would rather be. Life here encourages camaraderie and an all-for-one approach.

“The future for us here in Iraq remains flexible, but we are preparing to reduce in numbers. It is fantastic to see such progress in such a short period of time.”