Battle of Backbone Mountain

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]

History

Specialised Infantry Group

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]

Army Special Operations Brigade

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]

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^[26]
  • Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[27]
  • 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (2 PWRR), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[28][29][30][31]}
  • 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[32][29][30][33]}
  • 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[29][34][35]
  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (3 RGR), at Aldershot Garrison^[36]

Future Structure (2030)

The future structure of the brigade (by 2030) will be:^[37][5][38]

• Brigade Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[4][39][3]
  • 255 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals, at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down (Aldershot from 2027)^[18]
  • 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment (1 RANGER), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[40]
  • 2nd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (2 RANGER), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[41][42][30][31]}
    • F (Falklands) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles^[43]
  • 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (3 RANGER), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[32][42][30][33]}
  • 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment (4 RANGER), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[42][44][35]
    • G (Coriano) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles^[45]
  • Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team, at Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe Army Camp^[46]
  • 1 Squadron, Honourable Artillery Company will provide Special Patrols to the Brigade.^[47]

See also

• United States Army Special Forces – United States Army equivalent
• 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade – British Army formation taking on the role of the former Spec Inf Gp.
• Security Force Assistance Brigade – American equivalent to 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.

References

External links

• Army Special Operations Brigade