Gwent soldiers on Olympic guard duties (From South Wales Argus)

Gwent soldiers on Olympic guard duties

GWENT soldiers, some of whom have only recently returned from Afghanistan , will be on guard duties at the Olympic Games, it was revealed yesterday.

SPORTING DUTY: A group of soldiers march in front of the Olympic Stadium as they make their way to a security checkpoint at the Olympic Park entrances

The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, who recruit from across South Wales and the borders, and Chepstow-based 1 Rifles are two of the regiments who will provide some of the 3,500 extra security personnel required after official security provider G4S failed to source sufficient manpower.

It will take the total number of armed forces personnel involved in Olympic security to around 17,000.

G4S had initially been told to recruit 10,000 security officers for the games as part of their contract, but last week announced they were well short of this number.

As a result soldiers from the two regiments, who arrived home from gruelling tours of Afghanistan in March and November respectively, will be forced to serve instead of receiving their well-earned summer break.

Operation Olympics will see the armoured reconnaissance unit and crack infantrymen asked to perform duties such as routine bag checks.

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