A former army commanding officer and a soldier who led his unit through ground littered with explosives are among troops being honoured for acts of courage while serving in Afghanistan.
Colonel Edward Fenton, who led the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, through a tour of duty in the war-torn country receives a Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his "gallant leadership".
The 43-year-old commanded the largest combined force in Helmand province during the six-month operation from October last year, with 1500 troops including his own battalion.
His plan in the Nad e-Ali district was said to have put the transition for security responsibility to the Afghan forces six months ahead of schedule.
The announcement of his award was made on Friday with the release of the latest operational honours list.
The citation said his "courageous leadership" inspired and reassured his soldiers.
Col Fenton, who recently handed over command of the Black Watch at their base at Fort George, Inverness, paid tribute to a "tremendous team effort".
The father-of-one has now taken up a staff officer post in Warminster.
Also honoured is Sergeant Daniel Buist, who has been awarded a Mention in Despatches (MiD) for his "truly exceptional" courage.
Sgt Buist, 37, was patrolling with the Black Watch in November when they were attacked by machine gun fire and grenades.
Hemmed in 400m from their base by a barrier of improvised explosive devices, the platoon was pinned down and he stood up to draw fire, with shots narrowly missing him, and identified enemy firing points.
After three days of fighting he led the company through enemy lines, across and area filled with IEDs before taking control of the ground.
His actions were said to have secured a buffer zone around Loy Mandeh, turning the tide against the insurgents in the northern Nad-e Ali area.
The citation for Sgt Buist, from Arbroath, Angus, stated his efforts had been “truly exceptional” and praised his “inspirational leadership, in the face of great danger”.
Colour Sergeant Ian Smith, 32, was also awarded an MiD for his actions which foiled an enemy ambush.
The soldier, from Cowdenbeath, Fife, was serving with the Black Watch when their patrol was attacked several times from multiple firing positions over a period of two hours.
With the troops stuck in the open and pinned down by enemy fire, two armoured vehicles came to help but were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
Standing up from his position of cover, CSgt Smith ordered another soldier to follow him with his machine gun to bring the extra firepower forward.
They manoeuvred more than 300m across uncleared ground under enemy fire to reach the stricken patrol before issuing target indications and focusing their defence.
His citation said he “set a magnificent example to the men around him and gave them courage.”
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