Rifle cleaning kit : Lieutenant Colonel R J H Noble, Al Muthanna Task Group

Modified M16 rifle cleaning kit. The kit consists of three small plastic bottles of oil, three double ended plastic brushes, a length of flannel, two brass brushes, a muzzle cap and a collapsible cleaning rod with flannel pull through. These items are contained in a green nylon pouch with a flap opening secured with three plastic studs. Inside are two compartments each with a Velcro fastening. On the front of the pouch is a webbing loop with a metal slide clip attached. Printed below is ‘CASE, MAINT, EQUIP, MI6A RIFLE NSN8465-00-781-9564 SPECIALTY PLASTIC PRODUCTS’.

Associated with the service of Lieutenant Colonel Roger John Henderson Noble of 2 Cavalry Regiment. In 2005 Noble was appointed Commanding Officer of the Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) which was to be deployed to southern Iraq in April.

The AMTG, consisting of approximately 450 personnel, was tasked with providing a secure environment for the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG) and assisting in the training of local Iraqi Army units to enable them to take over the internal and external defence of their country. On 15 October a referendum was held for the people of Iraq to decide whether or not to ratify the proposed constitution of Iraq.

This item was collected from Noble after a visit to the As Samawah polling booths to show Multinational Force support for the referendum and to assess the public’s participation. The Iraqi people voted to accept the new constitution and it was officially ratified on 25 October. Noble was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for 'distinguished command and leadership while employed as Commanding Officer for the Al Muthanna task Group in Southern Iraq during the period 24 April 2005 to 25 October 2005.'.