Army Special Operations Brigade
British Army special operations formation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Army Special Operations Brigade, previously called the Specialised Infantry Group, is a formation of the British Army, initially created as a result of the Army 2020 Refine reorganisation, intended to train foreign forces.[3][4] Its name and role was adapted after the Defence in a Competitive Age reforms, to a unit that not only trains partner nations, but also fights alongside them in "complex high-threat environments".[5][6]
| Army Special Operations Brigade | |
|---|---|
Brigade flash | |
| Active | 2021 – present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Special operations-capable[1] |
| Role | Special Operations Unconventional Warfare Security Force Assistance Foreign internal defence Counterinsurgency |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Land Special Operations Force[2] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier Peter Baines |
History
Specialised Infantry Group
The group was formed to work alongside partner forces,[4] a role which has similarities to that of the US Army Security Force Assistance Brigades.[7][8] Officially formed in October 2017 with the 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 Rifles) and Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots).[9][10][11][3][4] in July 2018, the 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment was added to the Group.[9][10][11][4] and in January 2019, a fourth battalion, the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was added and this was followed by the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles in 2020.[10][12][11][13][4][14]
In August 2017, Team 5 from B Company 1 Scots were the first team to deploy on operations under the Specialised Infantry Group. Being deployed to Somalia, training the Somalia National Army for their ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab.[15] In February 2018, 4 Rifles deployed for the first time to Kuwait to work with the Kuwait Army and Kuwait National Guard.[16] R Company, It also trained the Afghan Army and forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.[17] In July 2018, C Company from the 2 PWRR was dispatched to Nigeria, where 1 Scots also trained the Nigerian Army for their fight against Boko Haram.[18]
Army Special Operations Brigade
In August 2021 the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade[19] consisting of the four battalions of the newly created Ranger Regiment, two reinforcement companies of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, 255 Signal Squadron under command,[20] and 1 Squadron Honourable Artillery Company attached to provide long-range surveillance patrols.[21][22]
The mentoring and training role previously undertaken by the Specialised Infantry Group was taken on by a new brigade formed through the conversion of the 11th Infantry Brigade into the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.[5][23][24]
The inaugural Brigade Commander was Brigadier Angus Fair DSO* OBE who formerly commanded the Specialised Infantry Group.[25][26][27]
By 2024, the brigade had been transferred from the disbanded 6 (UK) Division to the Land Special Operations Force set up in 1 December 2023[2] under Field Army Troops.[28]
Structure
Former Structure (2021)
The structure of the Specialised Infantry Group in March 2021 was as follows:
- Group Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison[29]
- Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), at Palace Barracks, Belfast[30]
- 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (2 PWRR), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett[31][32][33][34]
- 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp[35][32][33][36]
- 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison[32][37][38]
- 3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (3 RGR), at Aldershot Garrison[39]
Future Structure (2030)
The future structure of the brigade (by 2030) will be:[40][6][41]
- Brigade Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison[5][42][4]
- 255 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals, at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down (Aldershot from 2027)[20]
- 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment (1 RANGER), at Palace Barracks, Belfast[43]
- A (Krithia) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles[44]
- 2nd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (2 RANGER), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett[31][45][33][34]
- F (Falklands) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles[46]
- 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (3 RANGER), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp[35][45][33][36]
- 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment (4 RANGER), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison[45][37][38]
- G (Coriano) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles[47]
- Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team, at Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe Army Camp[48]
- 1 Squadron, Honourable Artillery Company will provide Special Patrols to the Brigade.[49]