Barracks may be deployment point (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Barracks may be deployment point

MORE than 5,000 troops could be descending on the Duke of Gloucester barracks in South Cerney before flying out to the conflict in Iraq.

The troops, belonging to the 16 Air Assault Brigade, would have all their documents checked at the base before being sent on the mission.

A military spokesman for the brigade said: "South Cerney is an air mounting centre so it is quite possible they would be going through the air base.

"But we haven't actually had the decision to deploy yet so we have no exact details on whether it will be South Cerney or somewhere else."

The Duke of Gloucester barracks, which played a central role in the last Gulf War, is regularly used as a gathering point for troops before they are sent abroad on missions.

When the go-ahead is given the 16 AAB will involve three infantry battalions being deployed.

These will include two parachute battalions and one Royal Irish battalion. The 16 AAB - based in Colchester - is a rapidly deployable brigade and is designed to open or secure points of entry for other land or air forces.

It is the newest and largest brigade in the British Army.