In January 2003, the WDs were mobilised with little warning for the impending war in Iraq, the first call-out of a formed unit of the Territorial Army for combat operations since the Suez conflict in 1956.

The squadron was amalgamated with its counterparts in 'A' (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Squadron of the Royal Yeomanry and augmentees from the Royal Logistic Corps to form a much-enlarged squadron of the Jt NBC Regiment. Almost all of that combined squadron’s officers and men were members of the TA, placing the WDs in the unusual position of operating as a formed TA unit in the field during war- fighting operations.

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WDs found themselves serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade, 7 Armoured Brigade (the Desert Rats) and 3 Commando Brigade as NBC specialists, before switching roles to infantry "peace support" operations once Saddam Hussein's regime had collapsed.

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