Pathfinder Platoon

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The Pathfinder Platoon
Active	1985 - Present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Versatile deep reconnaissance
Size	30+ men
Garrison/HQ	Colchester, England
Motto	"First In"

The Pathfinder Platoon is an elite unit of the British Army which provides deep reconnaissance and offensive operations beyond the forward edge of battle area as a brigade asset of 16 Air Assault Brigade. ^[1].

Contents 1 Role 2 History 2.1 World War 2 2.2 Post Operation Corporate 3 Operations 3.1 Operation Agricola, Kosovo 3.2 Operation Palliser, Sierra Leone 3.3 Operation Essential Harvest, Macedonia 3.4 Operation Veritas, Afghanistan 3.5 Operation Telic, Iraq 3.6 Operation Herrick, Afghanistan 4 Command, control and organisation 5 Selection and training 5.1 Fitness and Navigation - Group 5.2 Fitness and Navigation - Individual 5.3 Patrol Skills 5.4 Live Firing/Demolition Training 5.5 Combat Survival and Resistance to Interrogation 5.6 Completion 6 Security and secrecy 7 Insertion Skills 7.1 Basic Para 7.2 HALO Parachuting 7.3 HAHO Parachuting 7.4 Tandem Parachuting 7.5 Mobility 8 Former members 9 References 9.1 Additional Reading

[edit] Role

Roles include:^[2]

• Covert reconnaissance
• Special reconnaissance
• Offensive action or capture
• Reconnaissance of the deep battlespace
• Offensive operations in the deep battlespace
• Battlespace preparation in Transition to War
• Infrastructure disruption
• Capture of subjects of interest
• Human intelligence (HUMINT) collection
• Defence Diplomacy
• Training of other nations armed forces
• Intelligence collection in the deep battlespace

• Battlespace preparation by sabotage and offensive raiding in the medium and deep battlespace

• Defence Diplomacy - Training foreign nations armed forces

• Hearts and Minds activities

[edit] History

[edit] World War 2

In 1942, the 21st Independent Parachute company was formed with the task of 'pathfinding' around war torn Europe and was a unique concept at that point. The concept of pathfinding had been pioneered by Major John Lander who set about raising a company of hand picked volunteers drawn from the Parachute Regiment.

The operational role of the Pathfinders was to arrive at the drop zones half an hour in advance of the main body of airborne troops in order to set up beacons to pin-point the dropping area for the advancing aircraft, to clear any obstacles from the zone that would impede the gliders, and also to lightly secure the immediate area from enemy interference. During World War II, the company saw action on a range of theatres including Sicily and Italy

Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Arthur Montague Browning wrote to the Company Commander and said: "I have heard on every side how outstandingly your Company has done. To have earned this special praise from such gallant a body can only mean one thing - that your unit is unsurpassed by any other in the world. Please tell your chaps what a terrific reputation they have earned."^[3].

[edit] Post Operation Corporate

Following the 1982 Falklands War (Operation Corporate) 5 Airborne Brigade was established as a light, rapid reaction force for similar requirements. The brigade was formed from the Parachute Regiment, and associated airborne support assets.

The Brigade Commander identified a requirement for an independent intelligence collection capability, deployable into a hostile or non-permissive environment ahead of the main force. In 1985 the Pathfinder Platoon was established with personnel drawn initially from the Patrols platoon of each of the three Parachute Battalions.

The primary role of the platoon was battlefield preparation, identification and marking of airborne insertion points (Parachute Drop Zone's and Landing Zone's) and carry out reconnaissance tasks on pre-designated targets prior to the delivery of the main body.

In 1999, 5 Airborne Brigade merged with 24 Airmobile Brigade to form 16 Air Assault Brigade with the Platoon remaining attached to the Brigade Headquarters.

[edit] Operations

Operation	Country	Formation	Year
Operation Palliser	Sierra Leone	United Kingdom	2000
Operation Agricola	Kosovo	NATO	1999
Operation Essential Harvest	Macedonia	NATO	2001
Operation Veritas	Afghanistan	NATO	2001 - 2002
Operation Telic	Iraq	United Kingdom	2002 - 2003
Operation Herrick	Afghanistan	NATO	2006 2008

[edit] Operation Agricola, Kosovo

In June 1999, the platoon deployed into Kosovo providing reconnaissance and the forward air control of air assets, behind enemy lines, for NATO command several days prior to the main land offensive. The Platoon later provided a defensive screen around Pristina Airfield prior to the arrival of the pro-Serbian, Russian forces.^[4]

[edit] Operation Palliser, Sierra Leone

The Pathfinder Platoon deployed into Freetown in May 2000 to assist the UNAMSIL efforts and gained the world's attention for a gun battle that took place in the village of Lungi Loi located 40 miles (60 km) from the main UN base at Lungi Airport.^[5]

RUF guerrillas, numbering between 40-100 men,^[6] approached the village under the cover of darkness unaware of the number of Pathfinders located in defensive positions in and around the village. Using their Night vision goggles (NVG's) the Pathfinders unleashed a wall of fire at the enemy, killing 4. The platoon swept the area at day break following the large number of blood trails but to no avail. Intelligence reports^[7] found that the number of dead was far greater than initially reported and military analysts estimated that it was the result of this engagement that led the ceasing of hostilities from the rebels in the country.^[8]

There were no British casualties although one villager was hit by RUF fire but whose life was saved by a PF medic.^[9]

A member of the platoon was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for his actions in the gun battle.^[10]

[edit] Operation Essential Harvest, Macedonia

With the rise in ethnic tension overspilling in to violence in Republic of Macedonia between ethnic Albanian, National Liberation Army (NLA) and Macedonian security forces, the British government sent a force consisting of troops from United Kingdom Special Forces and 16 Air Assault Brigade to oversee a NATO-led ceasefire. ^[11]

The Pathfinders, alongside UKSF, oversee the uneasy truce in the mountainous regions over-watching the capital, Skopje and were used to establish links between the warring factions and monitor any hostile activities.

[edit] Operation Veritas, Afghanistan

The platoon deployed into Bagram Air Base Airfield on December 2001 to assist NATO's ISAF. The platoon were believed to have assisted the SAS and SBS in the hunt for Osama Bin Laden^[12]

[edit] Operation Telic, Iraq

The primary mission for the teams was to conduct mobile surveillance/fighting patrols behind enemy lines into the Iraqi provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Al Basrah in support of UK and US forces.

After the hostilities, the unit were re-roled onto the Iraq/Iraq border as well as 'snatch squad' tasks on suspected Ba'atist war criminals in Maysan.

[edit] Operation Herrick, Afghanistan

The Platoon was again, thrust into the relative glare of the media spotlight during the recent deployment to the southern, Afghan province of Helmand alongside the British 3 PARA Battle Group.

The Pathfinders first mission was a five day deployment on a pursuit of Taliban militants across this rugged landscape. The hunt culminated in their first engagement with the Taliban since 3,300 British troops arrived in Helmand province.

On May 17, they received a distress call from a local Afghan police force consisting of 100 in the town of Musa Qala who had been cornered by a much greater force of Taliban fighters.

By May 19, the Pathfinders joined the policemen in a counterattack in Taliban held territory. From there, a US B-1 Lancer bomber and A-10's were directed by PF forward air controllers onto Taliban positions. They were then supplemented by French Super Etendards from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean.

The men then set out on a four-day mission to a town in the north of Helmand province in Afghanistan ended up spending 52 days under siege by the Taliban. 25 men, who have been first into several Taliban-held areas during the British deployment in southern Afghanistan, came under such ferocious attack that they were forced to stay in Musa Qala fighting almost daily battles.

The group was supposed to be reinforced by a company of 120 paratroops but they had to be diverted to the town of Sangin when they came under heavy assault by Taleban insurgents.

The platoon were finally replaced in Musa Qala when 500 British troops, in a mission codenamed Operation Snakebite — the largest so far in Helmand — broke through Taliban lines. ^[13]

[edit] Command, control and organisation

The platoon work under the command of the Brigade Headquarters and based in Colchester, Essex.

Officer Commanding Pathfinder Platoon is a senior Captain or Major with an Operations Warrant Officer (WO2) is his second in command.

The platoon is formed of a number of which can operate independently or as part of a larger forward element under a Field Headquarters headed by a Captain, supported by a Sergeant.

The teams operate in with between 4-6 men and are commanded a by senior Patrol Commander whose rank can range from Sergeant to Private.

[edit] Selection and training

The Cadre includes 4 phases:

[edit] Fitness and Navigation - Group

Phase 1 begins with the standard British Army fitness tests including Battle Fitness Test and swimming proficiency and includes the tests undertaken during P Company; '2 Miler' (3 km), '8 Miler' (13 km) and '10 Miler' (16 km) speed marches carrying SA-80 rifle and Bergen but with more demanding time objectives and at greater weight loads.

Candidates are trained in navigation and signals in the HF, VHF and UHF ranges, enabling them to proceed onto the next phase.

[edit] Fitness and Navigation - Individual

Phase 2 is similar to the hill phase of UKSF selection^[14]; a series of long, solo marches over the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and Elan Valley carrying personal equipment, leading to a heavy individual load. Routes are traversed at a minimum 4 km/h, covering an average of 29 km with a 60 pound bergen and rifle.

Performance is testing with progress hampered by frequent inclement weather and poor conditions underfoot. Foot injuries and blisters are common, adding to the psychological challenge of individual performance and the loss rate at this stage in training is high.

The final challenge in this phase is a 40 mile (60 km) tab taking in all the highest peaks in the Southern Wales region.

[edit] Patrol Skills

Following the physical buildup candidates enter the skills phase which begins with revision of basic fieldcraft and tactics before progressing onto reconnaissance training.

Candidates are introduced to the operation and mechanics of a 4-6 man team in a deep reconnaissance theatre whilst moving covertly inside hostile territory.

[edit] Live Firing/Demolition Training

A consolidation of the patrolling and engagement skills is undertaken in the final operations phase, using live ammunition and munitions and introducing students to the Colt Canada (Diemaco) C8 rifle.

Other skills taught include an introduction into basic demolition comprising of improvised Claymore mines, entry, shaped and cutting charges.

Starting with 1-2 man drills before moving to patrol drills of 4-6 and culminating in platoon-sized direct action assaults and ambush drills.

[edit] Combat Survival and Resistance to Interrogation

The final stage is a Combat Survival package, introducing personnel to survival skills, escape and evasion (E & E) tactics and resistance to interrogation. The initial phase shows the students how to live off the land, erect improvised shelters and navigate using the stars.

The final element is an escape and evasion exercise where the troops are stripped of all their personal items then dressed in ill-fitting fatigues and greatcoats to slow them down. Personnel seek to avoid capture by the 'Hunter Force', usually comprising Parachute Regiment, Brigade of Guards or Gurkha soldiers.

Personnel captured, or on reaching the final objective, are subjected to a tactical interrogation and questioning activity by qualified MoD interrogators.

[edit] Completion

Personnel completing selection are placed on probation for 12 months and undergo specialist and continuation training appropriate to their employing Troop or more general training such as languages or first aid. This training will include mountain, jungle, desert, urban and other specialist courses.

Those who are deemed not to be achieving the standard required are returned to their parent unit.

[edit] Security and secrecy

Pathfinders, along with UKSF, avoid the glare of publicity. Due to its guarded nature, many people (including serving officers and servicemen within HM Forces) are unaware of the units true role, tasks and missions. This has subsequently led to a number of security errors wherby names and photos of operators have been leaked to the media.

Pathfinders are granted an enormous amount of flexibility and autonomy. They do not maintain any general uniformed presence and civilian clothing is the norm on or off duty. Uniforms are rarely worn, if at all, with any markings, names, or branch names on them. Hair styles and facial hair are allowed to grow to civilian standards in order for the force to be able to blend in and not be immediately recognized as military personnel.

The Parachute Regiment, an elite in their own right, have the standard army haircuts, yet the Pathfinders are seen to be sporting much longer styles with side burns, un-shaven faces, and non-military issue equipment (Clothing, webbing and hiking boots instead of standard issue combat boots).

Medals awarded to personnel, such as the Military Cross (MC), are publicised in the normal manner and officially and formally via The London Gazette however the individuals original parent Corps or Regiment, if they have such, is attributed as a matter of fact which sometimes provides security cover. The circumstances surrounding personnel killed in action are not routinely disseminated; should this be unavoidable the individual is also usually attributed to their parent Corps or Regiment where this applies.

The platoon strives to avoid courting publicity and keep serving soldiers faces out of the lens although in 1996 a number members of the unit due to leave the army were used in a BBC television production, Defence of the Realm: Phantom Platoon.

[edit] Insertion Skills

[edit] Basic Para

Upon completion of the Cadre, non-Parachute trained troops are sent to RAF Brize Norton to complete the All Arms Basic Parachute course, jumping with the Irvin GQ L.L.P. (Low Level Parachute) at between 800 and 1,000 ft both day and night.

Once completed, troops are awarded their Basic Parachute Wings Badge.

[edit] HALO Parachuting

Personnel attend the Military Freefall (M.F.F.) course along with RAF jumpmasters and SAS Air Troop soldiers.

This 6-week course takes place in the UK, South Africa or the USA and starts with an introduction into basic skydiving at 12,000 ft, before progressing onto the HALO phase where soldiers are dispatched out of a C-130 Hercules transport plane at an altitude of up to 25,000 ft, using an Irvin BT-80 multi-mission parachute carrying training loads of up to 80+ pounds of equipment.

Due to the high altitudes, all the soldiers and the aircrew are fitted onto an oxygen system once they pass above 12,000 ft, with the soldiers moving onto their own bottled system prior to jumping.

As the course advances, the soldiers master the ability of landing in tight groups at both day and night, in all weathers and increasingly heavier payloads. Upon completion of the HALO course, the Pathfinder then becomes a qualified Advanced Military Parachutist.

[edit] HAHO Parachuting

HAHO parachuting was introduced into the military as a way of inserting airborne troops into a location where there was a possibility that enemy air defence assets were in place.

The HAHO method of insertion allows troops to be dispatched from an aircraft at an altitude in excess of 30,000 ft (9000 m) and glide via GPS to a pre-designated position at distances of up to 40+ miles (60 km) (dependent on wind speeds).

[edit] Tandem Parachuting

Experienced jumpers are then given the opportunity to attend the Military Tandem course upon completion of minimum of 200 descents. This course normally run alongside the MFF package. Jumpers have to master jumping with other personnel and the progressing onto increasingly larger and heavier loads both day and night.

[edit] Mobility

Pathfinder troops are issued with the British Army, Land Rover WMIK.

These were introduced into the order of battle (ORBAT) so as to keep up to speed with the fast-flowing, modern battlefield.

These gunships are armed with 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), MILAN Anti-Tank missiles and .50 inch (12.7 mm) calibre Heavy Machine Guns; which enables the teams to defend against an aggressor or be used as a fighting platform in an assault or fire support mode.

Training is carried out in a number of theatres including West Africa, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait.

[edit] Former members

Notable Pathfinder veterans include:

• Bryan Budd
  • Posthumous recipient of Great Britains highest military award for valour, the Victoria Cross.
• Steven Heaney
  • Military Cross winner for actions carried out in the village of Lungi Loi, Sierra Leone during Operation Palliser. ^[15]
• Simon Harris
  • Star of the BBC documentary series Hunting Chris Ryan.
• David Blakeley
  • Actor

[edit] References

1. ^ British Army Units of 16 AAB accessed 14 May 07
2. ^ Defence of the realm:Phantom Platoon (BBC, 1996)
3. ^ Unit hist
4. ^ MOD Briefing, 17 June 1999
5. ^ A Dirty War in West Africa: the RUF and the destruction of Sierra Leone
6. ^ Four rebels die as the Pathfinders see action
7. ^ Analysis: Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone's rebels under pressure
8. ^ www.bisa.ac.uk/2006/pps/dorman.pdf
9. ^ Sierra Leone News Archives - May 2000 - Sierra Leone Web
10. ^ No medal for SAS man killed in hostage rescue - Telegraph
11. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/08/20/wmac20.xml&site=5&page=0
12. ^ BBC News | UK POLITICS | 'Net closing' on Bin Laden
13. ^ British troops in 5-day chase of Taliban - Times Online
14. ^ Defence of the realm:Phantom Platoon (BBC, 1996)
15. ^ No medal for SAS man killed in hostage rescue - Telegraph

[edit] Additional Reading

• Kent, Ron (1979). First in!: Parachute Pathfinder Company: a history of the 21st Independent Parachute Company. B.T. Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-2199-1.