NEW SPECIAL FORCES SUPPORT UNIT

20 Apr 2006 02:15 PM

The new UK Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) has been formed in St Athan, near Cardiff, the Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, announced to Parliament today. The unit will provide direct support to UK Special Forces intervention operations around the world and will provide the UK with an additional counter-terrorist capability,

The selection of individuals to the SFSG has been made from the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Marines, and the RAF Regiment. The group falls under the operational command of the Director of Special Forces and is part of the UK Special Forces Group. Members of the SFSG will retain the cap badges of their parent units and will also wear the SFSG insignia.

All individuals within this specialist group 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. Each of these selection courses involves arduous physical selection and high quality infantry training. The personnel are then equipped and provided with additional training to fit their specific specialist role on joining the SFSG.

The main role of the SFSG is to provide direct support to UK Special Forces intervention operations around the world. They will be prepared to operate in war-fighting, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations at short notice. Their roles may include provision of supporting or diversionary attacks, cordons, fire support, force protection and supporting training tasks. Prior to the creation of the SFSG, these tasks have been carried out by other units on an ad hoc basis.

One example of this specialist role was Operation Barras in Sierra Leone in 2000, where a company of 1 Para attacked one rebel camp as Special Forces units rescued hostages from a separate camp, thus preventing any rebel reinforcements disrupting the hostage rescue. By regularly training with the Special Forces, the SFSG will provide a more effective and available support capability.

In a statement to the House of Commons today, the Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, said:

"The new Special Forces Support Group will enhance the capability of the UK Special Forces to operate around the world and will provide the UK with an additional counter-terrorist capability. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the new Special Forces unit stood up, as planned, in St Athan, near Cardiff on 3 April."

Notes to Editors

1. This is the first official confirmation of the formed Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). It is the first time that the location of the group's base has been revealed. The new SFSG insignia, which will be worn by members of the group, is attached to this press notice.

2. The creation of two new Special Forces units to enhance the overall capabilities of the Special Forces and to improve the UK's ability to fight terrorism was announced by the then Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon on 16 Dec 2004. The first unit, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, became operational on Apr 2005. The SFSG is the second unit, which became operational on 3 Apr 2006.

3. Media reporting of all Special Forces operations, sources and methods, and the identities, whereabouts and tasks of individuals working in the Special Forces are also specifically covered by the Defence Advisory Notice system. Details of the system, including contact details for the independent Defence Advisory Notice Secretary can be found at www.dnotice.org.uk.