Army Special Operations Brigade | |
---|---|
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 | 6th (United Kingdom) Division |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier Rob Hedderwick |
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.[2][3] 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".[4][5]
The group was formed to work alongside partner forces,[3] a role which has similarities to that of the US Army Security Force Assistance Brigades.[6][7] Initially formed in October 2017 with the 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 Rifles) and Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots).[8][9][10][2][3] in July 2018, the 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment was added to the Group.[8][9][10][3] 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.[9][11][10][12][3][13]
In February 2018, 4 Rifles deployed for the first time to Kuwait to work with the Kuwait Army and Kuwait National Guard.[14] R Company, It also trained the Afghan Army and forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.[15] 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.[16]
In August 2021 the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade,[17] with the four battalions of the newly created Ranger Regiment and two reinforcement companies of the Royal Gurkha Rifles along with 255 Signal Squadron under command,[18] and 1 Squadron Honourable Artillery Company attached to provide long-range surveillance patrols.[19][20]
The mentoring and training role that was previously undertaken by the Specialised Infantry Group, will be taken on by a new brigade, formed through the conversion of 11th Infantry Brigade, into the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.[4][21][22]
The inaugural Brigade Commander was Brigadier Angus Fair DSO* OBE who formerly commanded the Specialised Infantry Group.[23][24][25]
The structure of the Specialised Infantry Group in March 2021 was as follows:
The future structure of the brigade (by 2030) will be:[37][5][38]