This freed 52 Brigade to parent regular light role battalions for operational deployments.

In November 2006, it was reported that Land Command planners had offered up HQ 52 Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Andrew Mackay for a November 2007 deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Herrick VII, and that the rotation plan 'was now awaiting final approval by government ministers.

'[3] In July 2007, the Ministry of Defence announced that 52 Brigade[4] would provide the command element for the UK Task Force on Operation Herrick VII in Afghanistan.

They served in Afghanistan between 7 September and 8 March, and were relieved in spring 2008 by 16 Air Assault Brigade.

[5] During the time that the Brigade were in Afghanistan, they successfully retook the strategic Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala.