Special Forces Units

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by sic1701

While we're on the subject of special operations forces, I would like to fill in some gaps. Going on my memory, I can list the following SOCOM components, but could you fine folks fill in some of the gaps and/or correct me as needed?

United Kingdom...Special Air Service (and do they belong to the British Army, or the RAF?). Special Boat Service. Do the Para regiments belong to the British version of SOCOM?

Don't let me down, boys.

Hi Sic,

Special Air Service are part of the Army. Special Boat Service are part of the Royal Navy. They both form part of United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF), and report to the Director, Special Forces (DSF), who is the senior Special Forces officer in the UK. UKSF would, I would think, be our version of SOCCOM.

The Parachute Regiment has three Battalions (1, 2, and 3). In the Twilight timeline (either v1 or v2) all three Battalions would be part of the regular British Army. Since the mid 1980's two Battalions would usually be assigned to 5th Airborne Brigade, whilst the third could be assigned to any non mechanised infantry role (e.g. Northern Ireland tour, Allied Mobile Force (Land) Battalion, standby for non NATO operations, etc). The Battalions rotated between assignments; exact time in each assignment varies, but would usually be between 18 - 24 months (occasionally longer).

There were also a further three Territorial Army (roughly similar to US National Guard) Para Battalions (4, 10, and 15); they formed the Parachute Regiment Group and were meant to be assigned to the 1st Armoured Division in Germany in the event of War.

At the end of the Cold War 10 and 15 Para were both stood down, leaving 4 Para as the only Territorial Parachute Battalion.

In real life airborne forces were restructured in 2006 and 1 Para was permanently assigned to the Special Forces Support Group, a new formation which also includes elements of the RAF Regiment, Royal Signals, and Royal Marines. The other two Battalions form the core of 16 Air Assault Brigade (the successor to the 5th Airborne Brigade).

Hope this helps - any queries just give me a shout and I'll try and answer!

Cheers

Dave