Army Special Operations Brigade

Army Special Operations Brigade
Brigade flash
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
Garrison/HQ	Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison[citation needed]
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier Gus Fair[2]

The Army Special Operations Brigade (Army Spec Ops Bde)^[3] (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.^[4][5] 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".^[6][7]

History[]

Specialised Infantry Group[]

The group was formed to work alongside partner forces,^[5] a role which has similarities to that of the US Army Security Force Assistance Brigades.^[8][9] 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).^{[10][11][12][4][5]} in July 2018, the 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment was added to the Group.^{[10][11][12][5]} 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, Royal Gurkha Rifles in 2020.^{[11][13][12][14][5][15]}

In February 2018, 4 Rifles deployed for the first time to Kuwait to work with the Kuwait Army and Kuwait National Guard.^[16] R Company, It also trained the Afghan Army and forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.^[17] 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.^[18]

Army Special Operations Brigade[]

In August 2021 the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade,^[19] with the four battalions of the newly created Ranger Regiment, plus two reinforcement companies from the Royal Gurkha Rifles, under its command, along with 255 Signal Squadron^[20] of the Royal Corps of Signals providing communications, and 1 (Special OP) Squadron (Honourable Artillery Company) providing long-range surveillance, reconnaissance and joint-fires STA Patrols to support the Brigade.^[21][22]

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.^[6][23][24]

The inaugural Brigade Commander is Brigadier Angus George 'Gus' Costeker Fair who formerly commanded the Specialised Infantry Group.^[2][25][26]

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^[27]
  • Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[28]
  • 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (2 PWRR), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[29][30][31][32]}
  • 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[33][30][31][34]}
  • 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[30][35][36]
  • 3rd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles (3 RGR), at Aldershot Garrison^[37]

Future Structure (2030)[]

Graphic representing the structure of the new brigade.

The future structure of the brigade (by 2030) is:^[38][7][39]

• Brigade Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[6][40][5]
  • 255 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals, at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down (Aldershot from 2027)^[20]
  • 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment (1 RANGERS), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[41]
  • 2nd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (2 RANGERS), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[42][43][44][45]}
  • 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (3 RANGERS), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[46][43][44][47]}
  • 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment (4 RANGERS), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[43][48][49]
  • Coriano Company, Royal Gurkha Rifles – formed from personnel of old 3rd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles^[50]
  • Falklands Company, Royal Gurkha Rifles – formed 18 November 2021 from personnel of old 3rd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles^[50]
  • Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team, at Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe Army Camp^[51]

See also[]

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

References[]

External links[]

• Army Special Operations Brigade