British Airborne Forces

British Airborne Forces
Unit name	Airborne Forces
Dates	1941–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Airborne forces
Role	Airborne infantry, Special reconnaissance
Command structure	6th (United Kingdom) Division
Garrison	Merville Barracks, Colchester Garrison
Nickname	The Maroon Machine
Motto	Utrinque Paratus (Ready for Anything)
Battles	Second World War, Suez Crisis, Falklands War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War
Notable commanders	Frederick Browning, Richard Gale, Eric Down

British Airborne Forces. The airborne forces of the British Army are a strategic asset designed for rapid deployment by parachute or helicopter insertion. Formed during the Second World War on the orders of Winston Churchill, they have a distinguished history of operations from Normandy to the Falklands. Today, they form a core component of the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army's global response force.

History

The concept was championed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1940 following the successes of German paratroopers in the Battle of France. The first unit, 11th Special Air Service Battalion, was formed in 1941, evolving into the 1st Airborne Division under Frederick Browning. Major operations included the disastrous Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden), the successful Battle of the Rhine Crossing, and the Allied invasion of Sicily. Post-war, they saw action in the Suez Crisis (Operation Musketeer (1956)), Operation Banner in Northern Ireland, and the Falklands War, where 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment fought at the Battle of Goose Green. Recent deployments include the Gulf War, Sierra Leone Civil War, and protracted campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Organisation

The current formation is 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, headquartered at Merville Barracks, Colchester Garrison. Its core infantry components are battalions from the Parachute Regiment, including the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. The brigade integrates vital supporting arms: the Army Air Corps with Apache AH1 and Wildcat AH1 helicopters, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and engineers from 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment. It also includes signals, logistics, and medical units from the Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Logistic Corps, and Royal Army Medical Corps. The brigade falls under the operational command of the 6th (United Kingdom) Division.

Equipment

Personnel are trained to parachute using the Low Level Parachute and the T-11 Parachute from aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and A400M Atlas. For air assault, they utilise helicopters such as the CH-47 Chinook, AW159 Wildcat, and Apache AH-64E. Standard infantry weapons include the L85A3 rifle, L7A2 general purpose machine gun, and L129A1 sharpshooter rifle. Heavy firepower is provided by the L118 light gun, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and 81mm mortars. Vehicles include the Foxhound (vehicle) and the Jackal (vehicle) for mobility and reconnaissance.

Operations

Their wartime debut was the Operation Biting raid on a German radar site at Bruneval in 1942. Major Second World War jumps included Operation Tonga on D-Day, Operation Dragoon in Southern France, and the aforementioned Operation Market Garden. Post-war, they conducted a combat jump during the Suez Crisis at El Gamil Airfield. In the Falklands War, battalions fought in the pivotal Battle of Mount Longdon. Since 2000, they have been consistently deployed, including the capture of Al-Faw Peninsula in 2003, numerous tours in Helmand Province, and providing the Special Forces Support Group for missions with United Kingdom Special Forces.

Training

All personnel must pass the arduous Pre-Parachute Selection course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick Garrison, which includes loaded marches across the Brecon Beacons. Successful candidates attend the Basic Parachute Course at RAF Brize Norton, run by the RAF Parachute Training School. Specialist continuation training includes Military Annual Training Tests, Close Quarters Battle drills, and Arctic warfare training in Norway. Officers and senior NCOs attend courses at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Land Warfare Centre.

Insignia and uniform

The primary distinction is the maroon beret, awarded upon completion of parachute training, with the Parachute Regiment cap badge. The famous Denison smock was used from 1942 until replaced by the Disruptive Pattern Material smock. The current operational uniform is the Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage. The Pegasus emblem, depicting Bellerophon riding the winged horse, is worn on the sleeve and is the symbol of British airborne forces. Jump wings, or parachutist badges, are worn on the shoulder, with a variant awarded for combat descents.

Category:Airborne units and formations of the United Kingdom Category:Parachute units and formations