Special Forces Support Group
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| Special Forces Support Group | |
|---|---|
   Constituent Badges of the Special Forces Support Group |
|
| 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 is comprised of units from the British Army's Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines, and the Royal Air Force 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 (these units, though classed as conventional forces, would invariably be considered to be elite units such as the Royal Marines, Parachute Regiment and the RAF Regiment). 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 US Army 75th Ranger Regiment.[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 and the RAF Regiment. 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 RAF Saint Athan near Cardiff, south Wales.[1] News reports of its strength have varied between 450-1,200 personnel.[2][7]
[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)
[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.
