Army Special Operations Brigade

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.^[3][4] 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".^[5][6]

The group was formed to work alongside partner forces,^[4] a role which has similarities to that of the US Army Security Force Assistance Brigades.^[7][8] Officially formed in October 2017 with the 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 Rifles) and Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots).^{[9][10][11][3][4]} in July 2018, the 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment was added to the Group.^{[9][10][11][4]} 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.^{[10][12][11][13][4][14]}

In August 2017, Team 5 from B Company 1 Scots were the first team to deploy on operations under the Specialised Infantry Group. Being deployed to Somalia, training the Somalia National Army for their ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab.^[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]

In August 2021 the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade^[19] consisting of the four battalions of the newly created Ranger Regiment, two reinforcement companies of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, 255 Signal Squadron under command,^[20] and 1 Squadron Honourable Artillery Company attached to provide long-range surveillance patrols.^[21][22]

The mentoring and training role previously undertaken by the Specialised Infantry Group was taken on by a new brigade formed through the conversion of the 11th Infantry Brigade into the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.^[5][23][24]

The inaugural Brigade Commander was Brigadier Angus Fair DSO* OBE who formerly commanded the Specialised Infantry Group.^[25][26][27]

By 2024, the brigade had been transferred from the disbanded 6 (UK) Division to the Land Special Operations Force set up in 1 December 2023^[2] under Field Army Troops.^[28]

The structure of the Specialised Infantry Group in March 2021 was as follows:

• Group Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[29]
  • Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[30]
  • 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (2 PWRR), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[31][32][33][34]}
  • 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[35][32][33][36]}
  • 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[32][37][38]
  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (3 RGR), at Aldershot Garrison^[39]

The future structure of the brigade (by 2030) will be:^[40][6][41]

• Brigade Headquarters at Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[5][42][4]
  • 255 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals, at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down (Aldershot from 2027)^[20]
  • 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment (1 RANGER), at Palace Barracks, Belfast^[43]
    • A (Krithia) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles^[44]
  • 2nd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (2 RANGER), at Keogh Barracks, Mytchett^{[31][45][33][34]}
    • F (Falklands) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles^[46]
  • 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment (3 RANGER), at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp^{[35][45][33][36]}
  • 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment (4 RANGER), at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison^[45][37][38]
    • G (Coriano) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles^[47]
  • Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team, at Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe Army Camp^[48]
  • 1 Squadron, Honourable Artillery Company will provide Special Patrols to the Brigade.^[49]

• Army Special Operations Brigade