Aberdeen soldier preparing for jungle warfare in gruelling Hawaii tropics

Corporal Jack McGregor is among the Scots undertaking the gruelling training exercise
-Credit: (Image: Joshua Oh)


A group of Scottish soldiers in Hawaii are undergoing a major jungle warfighting exercise with US and allied forces.

Corporal Jack McGregor, from Aberdeen, along with 19 soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s 3rd Battalion (3 SCOTS), is spending a full month on the island for exercise JPMRC 25-01, aimed at strengthening military ties in the Indo-Pacific and enhancing their combat capabilities.

The exercise has brought together over 1,000 soldiers from different partner forces including the US, Indonesia, and the Maldives at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centre (JPMRC).

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3 SCOTS will work closely with the US Army’s 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5 SFAB), as well as Indonesian and Maldivian military forces to promote interoperability and improve regional security.

The exercise is being led by 5 SFAB to test their Concept of Employment, which is designed to assess the brigade’s ability to conduct operations in harsh terrain.

Throughout the exercise, troops will engage in demanding military activities, including joint forcible theatre entry, simulating the initial entry into a war zone, as well as offensive and defensive operations, which focuses on real-world combat scenarios against a peer enemy with equal military capabilities.

They will also train in ‘contested logistics’, which ensures they are able to provide and sustain vital supplies - such as fuel, ammunition, food and medical supplies - when operating in environments where adversaries may look to disrupt, hinder, or attack those supply lines.

Their ability to maintain secure communications will also be tested to ensure command and control can be maintained without risk of compromise.

Corporal Jack McGregor said: "Hawaii has been chosen as the location for this exercise due to its large jungle training area, akin to what you would find in many Indo-Pacific countries.

"Knowing how to navigate and operate well in this terrain is essential as part of our battalion’s role in strengthening the UK’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific, as we build on existing relationships and ensure preparedness for future challenges."

Major Andy Nicol at 3 SCOTS added: "By integrating with US, Indonesian, and Maldivian forces, we are continuously improving our collective warfighting capabilities. The lessons we learn here will play a critical role in our ongoing efforts to improve interoperability and readiness."

The Royal Regiment of Scotland has fostered a robust working partnership with the Washington-based 5 SFAB following numerous joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

This alliance has been strengthened over time and has resulted in shared learning opportunities and participation in each other's communications courses.