More than 300 Royal Marines have returned to Scotland after a
three-month mission in Afghanistan.
About 315 troops from 45 Commando, based in Arbroath, flew into
Prestwick Airport.
The men, who had been part of Operation Jacana, are the first troops
involved in the operation to arrive back in the UK.
Most of the UK's 4,000-strong force in and around Afghanistan is due
back in the UK by August.
Speaking as he prepared to fly back from Kabul Airport, marine Alan
Hazelwood told the BBC: "I'm looking forward to what everyone is
looking forward to, a cold beer out of a pint glass."
British marines have been involved in a number of missions in
Afghanistan, including securing a turbulent area in the south-east of
the country.
They have been searching mountain valleys to destroy remaining
al-Qaida pockets.
The UK will continue to maintain about 1,700 troops in and around
Afghanistan.
--
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