Special Forces Support Group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Special Forces Support Group | |
|---|---|
   Badges of Constituent Units of the Special Forces Support Group |
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| Active | 3 April 2006- |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | UKSF |
| Type | Special Operations Light Infantry |
| Role | Special Forces Support/Counter-Terrorism |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | UK Special Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Saint Athan |
| Insignia | |
| Shoulder Flash |  |
The Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) is a special operations unit of the British Armed Forces. It comprises personnel from the British Army's Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines, and RAF Regiment. The SFSG was formed officially on April 3, 2006 to augment other United Kingdom Special Forces units on large-scale missions. It is a part of the United Kingdom Special Forces along with the Special Air Service, Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
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[edit] History
The unit's creation stems from the need to provide infantry support to the special forces. Previously, this was done on an ad hoc basis as infantry units assisted special forces teams when needed. Units like the Parachute Regiment were sometimes deployed in such a manner, such as for Operation Barras in Sierra Leone.[1]
In December 2004, it was announced that a unit would be formalised for this role as part of the wider restructuring. It was initially coined as a battalion of Rangers in reference to the similar 75th Ranger Regiment of the US Army.[2]
Its creation was announced officially by the then Secretary of State for Defence John Reid in Parliament on 20 April 2006. [3] Following the announcement, it was reported that a company of SFSG soldiers was operating in Iraq as part of the US-led Task Force 145.[4][5][6]
[edit] Formation
The SFSG was established to support UKSF units in battle overseas and on domestic counter-terrorist operations. For this, it may encompass such roles as providing diversionary attacks, cordons, fire support, force protection, and supporting training tasks.[1]
The unit includes Royal Marines commandos, Army paratroopers, RAF Regiment gunners and other members of the armed forces who are 'para'-trained. As a result, all those selected for the SFSG have passed either the Royal Marines Commando course, the Airborne Forces Selection course run by The Parachute Regiment or the RAF Pre-Parachute Selection course. Members continue to wear their own cap badge. In addition, they wear a new shoulder emblem that depicts a silver dagger on a green background, with a red-lined black flash of lightning running through it.[1]
Although intended as a tri-service formation, it was announced that the initial core would be formed from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment. 1 PARA was subsequently cut from the line infantry.
It is based at MOD St Athan near Cardiff, south Wales.[1] News reports of its strength have varied between 450-1,200 personnel.[2][7]
[edit] Organisation
The SFSG is split into one support company and four strike companies; three Para and one Royal Marines. The RAF Regiment provide a platoon in B Company, a handful of snipers and the Forward Air Controller capability for the SFSG.
There is also a CBRN unit assigned to the SFSG to provide specialised knowlage and capability to military and civilian agencies in detection and handling of chemical,biological and radiological/nuclear weapons and materials.
[edit] See also
- Special Air Service
- Special Boat Service
- Special Reconnaissance Regiment
- United Kingdom Special Forces
- United States Army Rangers - equivalent unit
- 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment - equivalent unit
- Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) - equivalent unit
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Special Forces Support Group forms in Wales". Ministry of Defence 20 April 2006.
- ^ a b "Britain to double commitment to the war on terror with 'SAS Lite'". The Daily Telegraph 17 April 2005.
- ^ "Written Ministerial Statements" Hansard 20 April 2006.
- ^ "The Men in the Shadows - Hunting al-Zarqawi" ABC News 24 April 2006.
- ^ "US calls in Paras for Baghdad secret war". The Daily Telegraph 24 April 2006.
- ^ "SpecOps unit nearly nabs Zarqawi" Army Times 28 April 2006.
- ^ "SAS support unit uses badge with baggage". The Times 16 April 2006.
