A sniper attached to 1st Battalion The Irish Guards, Basra, March 2003

Digital photograph taken by WO2 Giles Penfound, Army Media Operations, Operation TELIC, 30 March 2003.

The marksman shown was from one of four sniper pairs providing covering fire for Royal Engineers near Bridge Four on the outskirts of Basra. Snipers are specially trained soldiers who are used to infiltrate, gather intelligence and shoot at selected targets from concealed positions. They usually operate from long range using specialist weapons. Sniper pairs are made up of a spotter and a shooter. The spotter assists in setting up a shot by gauging range and conditions and assesses the resultant shot.