UK Defence Organisation – Levene and Army 2020

May 31, 2014
9:32 am

A post from a new contributor, MartinR

The Levene Report on changes to the MOD sensibly pulled a number of defence organisations into one central joint forces command. However it also appeared to push the three armed services into deeper silos than before, each with their own budgets, etc.

I believe that an opportunity was missed to bring the three armed services together at the operational level. I would like to discuss this.

Annex I is a rough sketch of how I suggest that HM Armed Forces should be organised. It does not show everything, as I do not know everything, but it provides a framework. I have not included training organisations, establishments or units.

I suggest reducing the number of 4 star officers to four, as the numbers of service personnel do not, in my view, warrant more. Each 4 star officer should be a member of the Defence Staff, rather than the Naval, General or Air Staffs.

The 4 star officers should each command elements of all three armed services and the civil services to achieve their shared aim of defending the United Kingdom’s people, territories and interests.

I consider that the three armed services should remain separate entities. However they must always be looked on as parts of the whole; rather than as independent services that cooperate when necessary but otherwise go their separate ways.

Each armed service should be headed by a 3 star officer, who is the head of his service, and who concentrates on his service to ensure that it is always ready to play its part in defending the nation. However he must be subordinate to the CDS & VCDS.

The present system resembles a battalion where all the company commanders are lieutenant colonels, rather than majors, who consider that they can do as they wish, with just a nod to the CO & 2IC every now and then.

If the Navy complain that the RN cannot possibly be headed by a Vice-Admiral they should be reminded that Lord Nelson was a Vice-Admiral and if that rank was good enough for him…..

UK Defence Forces

The main change that I would like to see is that all the people who do the fighting should be under one operational 4 star headquarters at Northwood. All operations and exercises at home and overseas should be commanded by HQ United Kingdom Defence Forces. HQUKDF replaces PJHQ.

CINCUKDF would directly command the 3 star Naval, Land, Air and Joint Forces operational commanders without there being any involvement, other than supportive, by the service chiefs of staff. CINCUKDF would report to CDS and would have access to the Secretary of State for Defence.

CINCUKDF would be responsible to the CDS for the conduct of all UK defensive and offensive military operations. He would be looking at the ‘Here and Now’, whilst his 4 star colleagues would be looking at ‘Ways and Means’ and ‘the Future’.

CINCUKDF would not be able to use the strategic deterrent without the explicit approval of the Prime Minister; though would be responsible, with CUKNF, for ensuring that the SSBN is in place, defended and ready to launch when needed.

HQ UKDF should be where all the operational decisions are made. The forces commanders should be based at Northwood, so that they, and their staffs, might plan operations and major exercises together under the command of the CINC.

It is unlikely that Northwood could house all the personnel required to support the commanders and so the commanders’ staffs should be split between Northwood and the service HQs in Portsmouth, Andover and High Wycombe.

HQUKDF should also command territorial defence, which should be a Joint Forces responsibility. All support provided by the Armed Forces to the civil authorities and to service personnel and their families should be delivered by Defence Territorial Command through ten Defence Districts.

Army 2020 links the Adaptable Forces to the regional brigades, presumably to save money, but it would seem to me that this will result in brigade commanders trying to look both ways at once. It would be better if the money were saved by having a tri-service command looking inwards and having separate Adaptable Forces looking outwards.

UK Naval Forces

I suggest only minor changes to the way the Naval Forces’ waterfront organisation is designed. My changes are simply to bring the design into line with the design that I suggest for Land and Air Forces.

UK Land Forces

I am impressed with Army 2020, it makes the best out of a bad job, but consider that dividing the fighting elements of the Army into two parts – Reaction & Adaptable – is likely to produce a ‘first eleven / second eleven’ split, with resulting morale problems within the second eleven.

I suggest an alternative organisation in Annex II, which follows the A-FORM process at divisional level, rather than at major unit level. The roles, location and equipment of all major units in Annex II are taken from the various Army 2020 publications.

Three combat divisions, each with 12 major combat units under command (10 if the Scots leave the UK), move through the ‘training for operations’, ‘operations’ and ‘other duties’ cycle.

Each GOC and his senior staff should remain in post for the three years of the cycle, which will allow them to have experience across the A-FORM cycle. This should help when a new CUKLF is being selected.

The third major-general would be from HQ London District. If there is a very good reason for there being a major-general in London then this could be the divisional headquarters, though it would be better if it were with 1 Signal Regiment in Stafford, which has a long history of being a divisional HQ.

Each combat division would have two brigade headquarters, one armoured and one mechanised, each of which could command an overseas force for six months during an enduring operation.

One brigade would provide an armoured reaction force and the other a mechanised (protected mobility) adaptable force during the years that the division is on, ready for, or training for, operations.

Each division would also have four light battalions (two if the Scots leave us) which could be used with either the reaction force, the adaptable force or independently.

Each armoured brigade would be able to form three armoured battlegroups from the armoured regiment and the two armoured infantry battalions – each with one armoured squadron, two armoured infantry company groups and one armoured artillery battery. A fourth armoured squadron would be held in reserve.

A command battlegroup would also be formed from the armoured cavalry regiment – three cavalry reconnaissance squadrons, a cavalry command mobility and protection squadron, a UAS artillery battery, a brigade HQ & Signals squadron and an intelligence company. The command battlegroup would resemble 30 Cdo IX Group RM, though with more assets.

Each mechanised brigade would have three mechanised battlegroups and one command battlegroup.

If the Scots leave the UK the loss of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards would cut our cavalry regiments down to five. Their command and ISTAR role would have to be taken on by an infantry battalion; or the 9/12L & QRL merger could be halted.

Let us hope that the Scots do not leave, as their leaving the British Army will be a major loss to the Army and the UK. If they do leave; perhaps a defence treaty could keep them in the British Army.

Cyprus should be garrisoned by two light battalions from the ‘operations’ division on one year tours. The ‘operations’ division should also continuously provide an infantry company group on a two month tour in the Falklands.

The garrison in Brunei should remain with the Gurkha battalions. Public Duties should be carried out by two infantry, usually Guards, battalions from the ‘other duties’ division.

In an emergency; the ‘training for operations’ combat division should be able to deploy overseas on combat operations. If ‘push comes to shove’ the harmony guidelines go out the window.

The combat divisions should be very flexible, with force packages tailored for each operation or major exercise by HQ UKLF and the division’s command staff, based on the orders given to them by HQ UKDF. Close support units (eg 7 RHA) would continue to have a close relationship with the combat units they usually support.

Each division should also have tailored combat support, command support and combat services support packages from two support divisions.

I would put all combat services support units together under one divisional HQ – this would allow for the maximum flexibility, common standards of service provision and could avoid unnecessary duplication – and the combat support and command support units under another. The former would be from Support Command and the latter from Force Troops Command.

I have not shown reserve infantry, cavalry, special forces and artillery major units (other than HAC) as I consider that they should disband, with the reserve companies, squadrons and batteries being subordinated to regular major unit HQs; see Annex IV. This should allow for improved integration. All regular major units would have two reserve minor units under command.

Where regiment/battalion sub-units are concerned they should be looked at as semi-independent minor units (with sub-units being troops and platoons) each with its own unique title. They are commanded by majors, rather than captains as in the US Army and other armies, and so should be able to act independently.

The names of the regiments that got us through the two world wars have disappeared from the British Army’s Order of Battle and from the uniforms of our soldiers. I consider this to be a great shame, and so I suggest in Annex IV that, whilst the old regiments cannot be resurrected, their names could still live on in their successor regiments as the names of companies and squadrons.

Where equipment is concerned I consider that the protected mobility vehicles are more suited to RLC (Mastiff) & major unit (Foxhound) battlefield bus/taxi duties, with the Jackals being used for force/route protection.

The light cavalry regiments and mechanised battalions should, I believe, be equipped with VBCI/Stryker/Boxer type 8 x 8 mechanised infantry fighting vehicles manufactured in the UK; if ever we have the money for them.

UK Air Forces

I suggest, in Annex III, a minor reorganisation of our air forces. I believe that air power, because of the speed and range of modern aircraft, must be held together and commanded at the highest level in any Theatre of Operations; which is why I suggest that the Apaches are held centrally and not in 16 Air Assault Brigade.

However I also see the advantages of aircraft that are integral to RN vessels and Army combat formations being manned by personnel from the RN and the Army. JHC has paved the way with this and I have followed this design where close air support for naval and land forces is concerned.

As the RAF shrinks the number of squadrons gets smaller. At the same time wing commanders command flying squadrons and squadron leaders command flights. If each flight becomes a squadron and each squadron becomes a wing then the RAF would have twice the number of its historic flying squadrons in its Order of Battle and the rank titles would mean what they say.

The squadrons would be much smaller than USAF squadrons but this should not matter as I am sure that allied air commanders are more interested in (a) how many aircraft they have; (b) their capabilities; and (c) how many sorties they can generate, rather than the size of the squadrons that they belong to.

Aircraft are extraordinarily expensive to purchase, maintain and operate and there is no point in a ‘fantasy fleet’ exercise. But the lack of maritime patrol aircraft concerns me.

I consider that using Atlas (low-level anti-submarine and rescue operations) and Voyager (high-level maritime ISTAR) in the MPA role would make more sense, providing that they can be equipped to carry out the role, than using them all in the strategic transport role, especially now that the Afghan campaign is coming to an end.

Also using Atlas to air drop troops and supplies over enemy territory is risking a very expensive bit of kit in a role far more suitable for the Hercules, and so some C130Js should be retained.

I would also hang on to the Lynx Mk9 for as long as possible; the Army needs more tactical air mobility than Wildcat can provide. In both cases this depends on the money being available.

Rank structure

The present rank structure was designed when the nobility and the gentry provided the officers and commoners provided the other ranks. This is why a wet behind the ears 2Lt is, in theory, senior to a very experienced WO1.

Times have changed and the rank structure should also be changed in all three services. WO1s should equate to Capts; WO2s to Lts; and SSgts to 2Lts. The WOs and SSgts would, I am sure, prefer to remain in the WO and Sgts’ Mess, rather than move to the Officers’ Mess.

There is no good reason why a tried and tested RSM or CSM should have to salute a 2Lt and call him ‘Sir’. The latter might well become a great asset to the Army but when he starts his career he has potential, rather than actual, value; he is certainly not as valuable as the RSM or the CSMs.

Aviators

The Navy consists of sailors; the Army has soldiers but the RAF has airmen and airwomen, which is a bit of a mouthful. Why not call the latter – aviators? Then we could talk of sailors, soldiers and aviators.

The original usage of aviator was for pilots only but there is no reason why we cannot use it for everyone in the RAF. Of course we could simply talk of Andrews, Ruperts & Kevins but that would only apply to the officers.

Conclusion

None of the above is going to happen; even if anyone of any importance in government sees the paper and agrees with it, or some of it.

The three services will not wish to give up their independence (and the three 4 star positions); the Army will not wish to change their plans and the Treasury will want major cost cutting plans, not cosmetic changes.

Unless the Russians get really bolshie and frighten our politicians SDSR 2015 and SDSR 2020 will be seen by whichever of them are in power in those years as opportunities for plunder; not for improving our defences.

However I have enjoyed the exercise, which will have to do for me. I hope that it has been of interest to TD readers.

Annexes

Annexe I (Armed Forces)

HM ARMED FORCES
COMMANDERS, STAFFS, FIGHTING & SUPPORT FORMATIONS
********	HM ARMED FORCES					MOD London – Chief of the Defence Staff
	*******	HQ ROYAL NAVY				Portsmouth – Chief of the Naval Staff & 1st Sea Lord (Policy & People)
	*******	HQ BRITISH ARMY				Andover – Chief of the General Staff (Policy); Adjutant-General (People)
	*******	HQ ROYAL AIR FORCE				High Wycombe – Chief of the Air Staff (Policy & People)
	The CDS is the principal advisor on defence to the Secretary of State for Defence and commands all defence personnel. The Chiefs of the Service Staffs (CNS, CGS and CAS) are heads of their services but do NOT command all members of their service. Their role is to advise the SofS, the CDS and Ministers about matters relating to their service and to fight their service’s corner where budgets, etc are concerned. They are staff officers, not commanders, whose tasks are to look at ‘Ways and Means’ and to look to the future of their services. Their aim is to get the best people and equipment in the right numbers to meet the needs of their service. The Army – being larger where personnel are concerned than the two other services put together – has two three star officers, rather than just one.
********	UNITED KINGDOM DEFENCE STAFF					MOD London – Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
	*******	DEFENCE POLICY & PLANNING STAFF				MOD London – Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
	*******	DEFENCE PERSONNEL STAFF				MOD London – Chief of Defence Personnel
	*******	DEFENCE EQUIPMENT STAFF				MOD London – Chief of Defence Equipment
	*******	DEFENCE HEALTH SERVICES				MOD London – Chief of Defence Health & Surgeon-General
	*******	DEFENCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS				MOD London – Chief of Defence Information Systems
	Defence staff officers look at long-term defence policy from a tri-service viewpoint, rather than from just their own service’s viewpoint. Defence Staff officers also serve in the UK Defence Alliances Staff, the UK Defence Forces HQ and the UK Joint Forces HQs.
********	UNITED KINGDOM DEFENCE ALLIANCES STAFF					MOD London & SHAPE – Chief of the Defence Alliances Staff
	*******	DEFENCE ALLIANCES POLICY STAFF				MOD London & UKDEL NATO – Deputy Chief of the Defence Alliances Staff
	*******	DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE				MOD London – Chief of Defence Intelligence
	*******	THE UK DEFENCE ACADEMY				MOD London – Vice-Chancellor
	The FCO is responsible for forming and maintaining alliances with other countries. The MOD is responsible for making them work. Defence Alliances Staff are in the FCO, the MOD, SHAPE, UKDEL NATO, BDLS Washington, Embassies and High Commissions. Now that the threat of invasion from the East has lessened, the load on HQNATO & SHAPE must be lighter than during the Cold War and so DSACEUR is also CDAS and PERMILREP NATO is also DCDAS. Constant monitoring of the military intentions and capabilities of allies, potential enemies and neutral countries is vital. The Defence Academy allows allied personnel to study and discuss issues together.
********	UNITED KINGDOM DEFENCE FORCES					Northwood – Commander-in-Chief, UK Defence Forces
	*******	HQ UK DEFENCE FORCES – Command Staff				Northwood – Deputy Commander-in-Chief, UK Defence Forces
		CinC UKDF is responsible for the day to day defence of the United Kingdom’s people, territory and interests. He and his staff are responsible for present and near future operations/exercises at home and overseas, rather than for long term strategy.
	*******	UNITED KINGDOM JOINT FORCES					HQ UKDF Northwood – Commander, UK Joint Forces
		**	HQ UK JOINT FORCES – Command Staff				HQ UKDF Northwood – Deputy Commander, UK Joint Forces
		**	DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE COMMAND				HQ UKDF Northwood		Responsible to CUKJF for day to day operations but work within the policies set by CDI; CDIS & CDH.
		**	DEFENCE SIGNALS & CYBER COMMAND				HQ UKDF Northwood
		**	DEFENCE MEDICAL COMMAND				HQ UKDF Northwood
		**	HQ BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE				HQ UKDF Northwood – Initial recce, planning, command and logistics.
		**	BRITISH FORCES CYPRUS				Cyprus		Each overseas commander reports directly to CUKJF.
			*	BRITISH FORCES SOUTH ATLANTIC			Falkland Islands
			*	BRITISH FORCES GIBRALTAR			Gibraltar
		**	DEFENCE TERRITORIAL COMMAND				HQ UKDF Northwood		HQ Defence Territorial Command and the ten Defence District HQs are responsible across the territory of the United Kingdom for: (a) co-ordinating territorial defence; (b) liaising with the civil authorities and providing military support when needed; (c) providing support to Regular & Reserve Units, Service families, Reservists and Veterans; and (d) Public Relations. They are staffed by personnel from all three Armed Services and the MOD Civil Service.
			*	DEFENCE HQ LONDON			Horse Guards
			*	DEFENCE HQ SCOTLAND			Edinburgh
			*	DEFENCE HQ WALES			Cardiff
			*	DEFENCE HQ NORTHERN IRELAND			Belfast
			*	DEFENCE HQ NORTH-WEST ENGLAND			Manchester
			*	DEFENCE HQ NORTH-EAST ENGLAND			York
			*	DEFENCE HQ WESTERN ENGLAND			Birmingham
			*	DEFENCE HQ EASTERN ENGLAND			Cottesmore
			*	DEFENCE HQ SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND			Plymouth
			*	DEFENCE HQ SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND			Aldershot
	*******	UNITED KINGDOM NAVAL FORCES					HQ UKDF Northwood – Commander, UK Naval Forces & 2nd Sea Lord
		**	HQ UK NAVAL FORCES – Command Staff				HQ UKNF Portsmouth– Deputy Commander, UK Naval Forces
			*	HQ ROYAL MARINES			HQ UKNF Portsmouth
				III	1 ASSAULT GROUP RM		RM Tamar
		**	RN FLEET COMMAND – RN/RFA at Sea				HQ UKDF Northwood		Warships & RFAs at sea move from flotilla to flotilla according to their role & location. 3rd Flotilla commands all ships operating independently.
			*	FIRST FLOTILLA – RN/RFA East of Suez			HQ UKNF Bahrain
			*	SECOND FLOTILLA – RN Reaction Force			HQ Portsmouth/At sea
			*	THIRD FLOTILLA – RN/RFA West of Suez			HQ UKDF Northwood
		**	RN HOME COMMAND – RN/RFA at Home				HQ UKNF Portsmouth
			*	PORTSMOUTH FLOTILLA			Portsmouth		CVF; DD45; FF23; Patrol
			*	DEVONPORT FLOTILLA			Devonport		LPH; LPD; FF23; SSN(T); MCMV; Survey
			*	FASLANE FLOTILLA			Faslane		SSBN; SSN(A); MCMV
			*	ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY FLOTILLA			Portsmouth		RFA
	*******	UNITED KINGDOM LAND FORCES					HQ UKDF Northwood – Commander, UK Land Forces
		**	HQ UK LAND FORCES – Command Staff				HQ UKLF Andover – Deputy Commander, UK Land Forces
			*	3 COMMANDO BRIGADE			Plymouth	Reaction Forces. RM Commandos are part of the NAVAL SERVICE but fight as LAND FORCES.
			*	6 AIRBORNE BRIGADE			Colchester
		**	1 DIVISION – Combat				York	Each Division spends one year training for operations, one year on, or ready for, operations and one year on other duties. Armd Bdes are Reaction Forces. Mech Bdes are Adaptable Forces. Where enduring operations are concerned each Bde HQ can spend six months in theatre. Each Bde has six Battle Groups under command. BGs can serve with either Bde in their Div. UKLF tailors a force package to suit each operation/exercise.
			*	1 ARMOURED BRIGADE			Tidworth
			*	2 MECHANISED BRIGADE			Edinburgh
		**	2 DIVISION – Combat				Stafford
			*	4 ARMOURED BRIGADE			Bulford
			*	5 MECHANISED BRIGADE			Chilwell
		**	3 DIVISION – Combat				Bulford
			*	7 ARMOURED BRIGADE			Bulford
			*	8 MECHANISED BRIGADE			Aldershot
		**	4 DIVISION – Combat & Command Support				Aldershot	Combat Support, Command Support and Combat Services Support packages are put together by UKLF to meet the needs of the Combat Divisions and Brigades. The packages are flexible and will change according to need. CCS & CSS brigades are responsible for policy development, trade training and updating and maintaining specialist skills. Bde HQs are combined with specialist Corps HQs. See Annex II* for Combat, Combat/Command Support and Combat Services Support units.*
			*	9 ARTILLERY BRIGADE			Tidworth
			*	10 ISTAR BRIGADE			Upavon
			*	11 ENGINEER BRIGADE			Aldershot
			*	12 SIGNALS BRIGADE			Donnington
		**	5 DIVISION – Combat Services Support				Andover
			*	13 PROVOST BRIGADE			Andover
			*	14 MEDICAL BRIGADE			Strensall
			*	15 LOGISTIC BRIGADE			Aldershot
			*	16 EQUIPMENT BRIGADE			Grantham
			*	HQ 17 SUPPORT BRIGADE – NATO area			HQ BEF Northwood	These brigade HQs bring together CSS assets to support operations, exercises & training overseas.
			*	HQ 18 SUPPORT BRIGADE – Global
	*******	UNITED KINGDOM AIR FORCES					HQ UKDF Northwood – Commander, UK Air Forces
		**	HQ UK AIR FORCES – Command Staff				HQ UKAF High Wycombe – Deputy Commander, UK Air Forces
			*	HQ 1ST EXPEDITIONARY AIR FORCE			HQ UKDF Northwood		Commands RAF units operating overseas
			*	HQ RAF REGIMENT			HQ UKAF High Wycombe		Protects RAF units operating at home and overseas. UK CBRN Defence Force.
				III	9 GROUP RAF – Force Protection		RAF Honington
		**	RAF FIGHTER COMMAND				HQ UKAF High Wycombe
			*	HQ RAF FIGHTER COMMAND			HQ UKAF High Wycombe
				III	1 GROUP RAF – Air Defence & Strike		RAF Marham		Tornado GR4 / Lightning FGR2
				III	2 GROUP RAF – Air Defence & Strike		RAF Coningsby		Typhoon FGR2
				III	3 GROUP RAF – Air Defence & Strike		RAF Lossiemouth		Typhoon FGR2
		**	RAF SUPPORT COMMAND				HQ UKAF High Wycombe
			*	HQ RAF SUPPORT COMMAND			HQ UKAF High Wycombe
				III	4 GROUP RAF – ISTAR and Maritime Patrol		RAF Waddington & RAF Brize Norton		Sentry; Rivet Joint; Sentinel; Shadow; Reaper; Defender AL2; MPA.
				III	5 GROUP RAF – Strategic Airlift		RAF Brize Norton		Globemaster; Atlas; Voyager
				III	6 GROUP RAF – Air Assault and Command Mobility		RAF Brize Norton & RAF Northolt		Hercules C130J; BAE146; BAE125; AW109; Islander AL1
		**	TACTICAL AIR COMMAND				HQ UKAF High Wycombe		Close Air Support for Naval & Land Forces
			*	HQ TACTICAL AIR COMMAND			HQ UKAF High Wycombe
			*	2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE			HQ UKLF Andover
				III	10 GROUP RAF		RAF Valley		Tactical Strike – Hawk
				III	11 GROUP RAF		RAF Odiham		Tactical Airlift – Chinook
				III	12 GROUP RAF		RAF Benson		Tactical Airlift – Puma
			*	FLEET AIR ARM			HQ UKNF Portsmouth
				III	14 NAVAL AIR GROUP		RNAS Culdrose		Maritime Air – Merlin & Wildcat
				III	15 NAVAL AIR GROUP		RNAS Yeovilton		Commando Air – Merlin & Wildcat
			*	ARMY AIR CORPS			HQ UKLF Andover
				III	16 ARMY AIR GROUP		AAC Wattisham		Air Cavalry – Apache
				III	17 ARMY AIR GROUP		AAC Middle Wallop		Air Support – Lynx & Wildcat
							See Annex III* for UKAF details*
(NO TRAINING FORMATIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS OR UNITS INCLUDED)
Notes:
Each Army brigade has a unique number. The Army is too small to have brigades using the same number. It is also too small to maintain historic brigade numbers, such 51 (Highland) Brigade. It is best to start again and number from the top.
*RAF groups* are commanded by group captains and consist of a number of wings commanded by wing commanders. A group commander can also be the station commander. It is strange that a fast moving flexible force with global reach ties its aircraft to static air stations. The aircraft need a base, as do the air crew, but they ought to be able to deploy forward as fighting formations.
*Tactical Strike Wings:* Hawks are used for low-level close air support for UK Land Forces. Typhoons & Lightnings are far too valuable to be risked. The Hawks and their pilots are also used for fast-jet flying training in 4 Flying Training School.
III = Captain RN; Colonel; Group Captain.

Annexe II (Land Forces)

UNITED KINGDOM LAND FORCES

HQ: ANDOVER

3 COMMANDO BRIGADE

Reaction Force

HQ: Plymouth

SBS RM

RM Special Forces

Poole, Dorset

30 CDO

RM Commando / HQ & ISTAR

Though part of the NAVAL SERVICE 3 BDE fights on land and so is also part of UK LAND FORCES.

Plymouth

40 CDO

RM Commando

Plymouth

42 CDO

RM Commando

Chivenor, Devon

45 CDO

RM Commando

Arbroath

43 CDO

RM Fleet Protection

RNB Clyde

6 AIRBORNE BRIGADE

Reaction Force

HQ: Colchester

22 SAS

Army Special Forces

Hereford

1 PARA ^{(see notes)}

Airborne Infantry / HQ & ISTAR ^{(see notes)}

Colchester / Hereford

2 PARA

Airborne Infantry

Colchester

3 PARA

Airborne Infantry

Colchester

1 GURKHA

Light Infantry

Shorncliffe

2 GURKHA

Light Infantry

Brunei

1 DIVISION

HQ: YORK

1 ARMOURED BRIGADE

Reaction Force

HQ: Bulford

RDG

Armoured Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Scimitar II

Catterick

QRH

Armour

Challenger II

Tidworth

1 SAXON ^{(see notes)}

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Bulford

5 RIFLES

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Bulford

1 GRENR GDS

Light Infantry

Aldershot

2 SCOTS

Light Infantry

Edinburgh

2 MECHANISED BRIGADE

Adaptable Force

HQ: Edinburgh

SCOTS DG

Light Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Jackal

Leuchars

4 SCOTS

Heavy Mechanised Infantry

Mastiff

Catterick

3 SCOTS

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Fort George

3 RIFLES

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Edinburgh

1 SCOTS

Light Infantry

Belfast

2 RIFLES

Light Infantry

Lisburn

2 DIVISION

HQ: STAFFORD

4 ARMOURED BRIGADE

Reaction Force

HQ: Bulford

HCR

Armoured Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Scimitar II

Windsor

RTR

Armour

Challenger II

Tidworth

1 FUSILIERS

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Tidworth

1 MERCIAN

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Bulford

1 COLDM GDS

Light Infantry

Windsor (Public Duties)

1 IRISH GDS

Light Infantry

Hounslow (Public Duties)

5 MECHANISED BRIGADE

Adaptable Force

HQ: Chilwell

Light Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Jackal

Catterick

4 RIFLES

Heavy Mechanised Infantry

Mastiff

Aldershot

1 R IRISH

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Tern Hill

2 YORKS

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Catterick

2 LANCS

Light Infantry

Weeton

2 MERCIAN

Light Infantry

Chester

3 DIVISION

HQ: BULFORD

7 ARMOURED BRIGADE

Reaction Force

HQ: Tidworth

Armoured Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Scimitar II

Catterick

KRH

Armour

Challenger II

Tidworth

1 YORKS

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Warminster

1 R WELSH

Armoured Infantry

Warrior II

Tidworth

1 LANCS

Light Infantry

Cyprus

2 SAXON ^{(see notes)}

Light Infantry

Cyprus

8 MECHANISED BRIGADE

Adaptable Force

HQ: Aldershot

QDG

Light Cavalry / HQ & ISTAR

Jackal

Swanton Morley

1 SCOTS GDS

Heavy Mechanised Infantry

Mastiff

Aldershot

1 WELSH GDS

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Pirbright

2 ANGLIAN

Light Mechanised Infantry

Foxhound

Cottesmore

1 ANGLIAN

Light Infantry

Woolwich

1 RIFLES

Light Infantry

Chepstow

4 DIVISION

Combat & Command Support

HQ: ALDERSHOT

9 ARTILLERY BRIGADE

Also HQ RA

HQ: Tidworth

1 RHA

Armoured Artillery Regiment

155mm SP Gun

Larkhill

19 RA

Armoured Artillery Regiment

155mm SP Gun

Larkhill

26 RA

Armoured Artillery Regiment

155mm SP Gun

Larkhill

3 RHA

Light Artillery Regiment

105mm Gun

Northumberland

4 RA

Light Artillery Regiment

105mm Gun

Topcliffe

7 RHA

Airborne Artillery Regiment

105mm Gun

Colchester

29 RA

Commando Artillery Regiment

105mm Gun

Plymouth

12 RA

Air Defence Artillery Regiment

Starstreak HVM

Thorney Island

16 RA

Air Defence Artillery Regiment

Rapier

Thorney Island

10 ISTAR BRIGADE

Also HQ Int Corps

HQ: Upavon, Wilts

5 RHA ^{(see Annex IV)}

ISTAR Artillery Regiment

Catterick

HAC

Reserve ISTAR Artillery Regiment

London

32 RA

ISTAR Artillery Regiment

Light UAS

Larkhill

47 RA

ISTAR Artillery Regiment

Light UAS

Larkhill

14 R SIGS

Electronic Warfare Signal Regiment

St Athan

SRR

Special Forces ISTAR Regiment

Hereford

7 INT

Reserve Military Intelligence Bn

Bristol

1 INT

Military Intelligence Battalion

Catterick

3 INT

Reserve Military Intelligence Bn

Hackney

2 INT

Military Intelligence Battalion

Upavon

6 INT

Reserve Military Intelligence Bn

Manchester

4 INT

Military Intelligence Battalion

Bulford

5 INT

Reserve Military Intelligence Bn

Edinburgh

11 ENGINEER BRIGADE

Also HQ RE

HQ: Aldershot

FORCE SUPPORT GROUP

20 WG RE

Air Support Engineer Regt

Wittering

36 RE

Engineer Regiment

Maidstone

39 RE

Engineer Regiment

Kinloss

42 RE

Geographic Regiment

RAF Wyton, Cambs

71 RE

Reserve Engineer Regiment

Leuchars

75 RE

Reserve Engineer Regiment

Warrington

CLOSE SUPPORT GROUP

22 RE

Armoured Engineer Regiment

Perham Down

26 RE

Armoured Engineer Regiment

Perham Down

35 RE

Armoured Engineer Regiment

Perham Down

21 RE

Engineer Regiment

Catterick

32 RE

Engineer Regiment

Catterick

23 RE

Airborne Engineer Regiment

Woodbridge, Suffolk

EOD & SEARCH GP

33 RE

EOD Regiment

Wimbish, Essex

101 RE

EOD Regiment

Wimbish, Essex

11 RLC

EOD Regiment

Didcot, Oxon

1 RAVC

MW Dogs Regiment

Aldershot

170

SUPPORT GROUP

62 WG RE

Infrastructure Works Group

Chilwell

63 WG RE

Infrastructure Works Group

Chilwell

64 & 66 WG RE

Infrastructure Works Groups

Chilwell

65 WG RE

Reserve Infrastructure Works Group

Chilwell

Monmouth Militia RE

Reserve Infrastructure Works Group

Monmouth

12 SIGNALS BRIGADE

Also HQ R Signals

HQ: Donnington

1 SIGNAL GROUP

22 R SIGS

ARRC & JRRF Signal Regiment

Stafford

30 R SIGS

ARRC & JRRF Signal Regiment

Nuneaton

ARRC SB

ARRC Support Battalion

Innsworth

2 SIGNAL GROUP

10 R SIGS

Technical Support Signal Regt

Corsham, Wilts

15 R SIGS

Information Systems Signal Regt

Blandford, Dorset

32 R SIGS

Reserve Signal Regiment – Paired with 2 R SIGS

Glasgow

37 R SIGS

Reserve Signal Regiment – Paired with 16 R SIGS

Redditch

39 R SIGS

Reserve Signal Regiment – Paired with 21 R SIGS

Bristol

71 R SIGS

Reserve Signal Regiment – Paired with 3 R SIGS

Bexleyheath

7 SIGNAL GROUP

1 R SIGS

Close Support Signal Regiment

Stafford

2 R SIGS

General Support Signal Regiment

York

3 R SIGS

General Support Signal Regiment

Bulford

16 R SIGS

Close Support Signal Regiment

Stafford

21 R SIGS

Close Support Signal Regiment

Colerne, Wilts

5 DIVISION

Combat Services Support

HQ: ANDOVER

13 PROVOST BRIGADE

Also HQ RMP

HQ: Andover

1 RMP

Military Police Regiment

Catterick

3 RMP

Military Police Regiment

Bulford

4 RMP

Military Police Regiment

Aldershot

RMP SIB

Special Investigation Branch

Bulford

MCTC

Military Corrective Training Centre

Colchester

14 MEDICAL BRIGADE

Also HQ RAMC, RADC, QUARANC, etc

HQ: Strensall

OPS HQ RAMC

Reserve Operational HQ Support Group

Strensall

306 RAMC

Reserve Hospital Support Regiment

Strensall

335 RAMC

Reserve Medical Evacuation Regiment

Strensall

22 RAMC

Field Hospital

Aldershot

202 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Birmingham

207 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Manchester

208 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Liverpool

33 RAMC

Field Hospital

Gosport

203 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Cardiff

243 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Bristol

256 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Walworth

34 RAMC

Field Hospital

Strensall

201 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

204 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Belfast

205 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Glasgow

212 RAMC

Reserve Field Hospital

Sheffield

1 RAMC

Armoured Medical Regiment

Tidworth

4 RAMC

Armoured Medical Regiment

Aldershot

5 RAMC

Armoured Medical Regiment

Tidworth

225 RAMC

Reserve Medical Regiment

Dundee

253 RAMC

Reserve Medical Regiment

Belfast

254 RAMC

Reserve Medical Regiment

Cambridge

2 RAMC

Medical Regiment

Rutland

3 RAMC

Medical Regiment

Preston

6 RAMC

Airborne Medical Regiment

Colchester

15 LOGISTIC BRIGADE

Also HQ RLC

HQ: Aldershot

2 RLC

Operational Support Group

Grantham

1 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Bicester

9 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Hullavington

157 RLC

Reserve Transport Regiment

Cardiff

3 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Aldershot

10 QOG

Logistic Support Regiment

Aldershot

151 RLC

Reserve Transport Regiment

Croydon

4 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Abingdon

27 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Abingdon

154 RLC

Reserve Transport Regiment

Dunfermline

6 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Dishforth

150 RLC

Reserve Transport Regiment

Hull

156 RLC

Reserve Supply Regiment

Liverpool

7 RLC

Logistic Support Regiment

Cottesmore

158 RLC

Reserve Transport Regiment

Peterborough

159 RLC

Reserve Supply Regiment

Coventry

13 RLC

Airborne Logistic Support Regiment

Colchester

17 RLC

Port & Maritime Regiment

Marchwood

165 RLC

Reserve Port & Enabling Regiment

Plymouth

29 RLC

Postal, Courier & Movements Regiment

South Cerney

162 RLC

Reserve Postal, Courier & Movements Regiment

Nottingham

152 RLC

Reserve Fuel Support Regiment

Belfast

167 RLC

Reserve Catering Support Regiment

Grantham

16 EQUIPMENT BRIGADE

also HQ REME

HQ: Grantham

3 REME

Armoured Equipment Support Battalion

Tidworth

105 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Bristol

4 REME

Armoured Equipment Support Battalion

Tidworth

103 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Crawley

6 REME

Armoured Equipment Support Battalion

Tidworth

101 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Wrexham

1 REME

Equipment Support Battalion

Catterick

102 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Newton Aycliffe

2 REME

Equipment Support Battalion

Leuchars

106 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Glasgow

5 REME

Equipment Support Battalion

Cottesmore

104 REME

Reserve Equipment Support Battalion

Northampton

7 REME

Aviation Equipment Support Battalion

Wattisham

HQ 17 SUPPORT BRIGADE

Each brigade manages the Land Forces Supply Chain to, from and within one or more Theatres of Operations or Exercises. The brigades command Combat Services Support Groups in each Theatre that provide medical, logistic and equipment support, etc to deployed Land Forces. CSS Units are assigned to the CSSGs by HQ 5 DIV according to need.

HQ: BEF Northwood

HQ 18 SUPPORT BRIGADE

HQ: BEF Northwood

17 Brigade operates in the NATO area and 18 Brigade operates globally.

Household Division Mounted Regiment

HDMR

Ceremonial Regiment (CO – Col, 2IC – Lt Col)

HCMR Sqns + King’s Tp RHA + 3 x Guards Public Duties Coys

London

NOTES: See ANNEX IV for Army Combat Unit details

AAC Regiments are shown under UK Air Forces

COMBAT DIVISION HQs are deployable. If a fighting brigade is deployed to work alongside allied formations then a 2 Star divisional HQ should be deployed to work alongside the host nation headquarters and other allied headquarters.

BRIGADES have unique numbers. The Army is too small to have brigades using the same number. It is also too small to maintain historic brigade numbers, such 51 (Highland) Brigade. It is best to start again and number from the top.

1 PARA is a specialist major combat unit providing support to Army Special Forces and to 6 Airborne Brigade HQ.

HQ & ISTAR Units: 6 x Cavalry Regts & 1 PARA follow RM 30 Cdo Information Exploitation Group concept.

Command Battle Group formed by:

Cav Regt / Para Bn HQ Sqn/Coy; plus Cav Recce Sqns / Para Recce Coy; plus

Bde Command Mobility & Protection Cavalry Sqn/Para Cmd HQ M&P Coy; plus Bde HQ & Signals Sqn, R Sigs; plus

UAS Bty, RA; plus Int Coy, Int Corps; plus CSS yeomanry sqns from framework Regt/Bn and from a combat support regt.

SPECIAL FORCES units (22 SAS; SBS RM & SRR) operate and exercise together under the command of HQ UKDF but come under their brigade HQs for administration, etc. They are the tip of the spear. Their brigades are the blade of the spear and provide operational support and reinforcements to their special forces units.

ARMOURED FORCES deployed for an enduring operation can form two Task Forces of ;

1 x Armoured Infantry Battalion; plus

1 x Armoured Combat Group of 30 x Challenger (HQ has 2 x tanks and the two squadrons have 14 x tanks each) from the Armoured Regiment; plus

1 x Armoured Cavalry Sqn; plus

Combat Support / Combat Services Support units.

Each Task Force serves in Theatre for 6 months. Task Force HQ is from deployed Brigade HQ.

1 & 2 SAXON – New titles for 1 & 2 PWRR to bring the modern regiment’s title into line with the other regiments, such as 1 MERCIAN, 1 ANGLIAN, etc. The modern regiment recruits in the areas occupied by the Middle Saxons (Middlesex), the South Saxons (Sussex) and the West Saxons (Hampshire, which was part of Wessex).

Annexe III (Air Forces)

HQ UNITED KINGDOM AIR FORCES				Cdr, UK Air Forces(CUKAF) reports to CINCUKDF		HQ UKDF Northwood
HQ UK AIR FORCES					AOC HQ reports to CUKAF	HQ UKAF High Wycombe
	HQ 1ST EXPEDITIONARY AIR FORCE				Commands RAF units overseas	HQ UKDF Northwood
	HQ RAF REGIMENT				Protects RAF units at home and overseas. UK CBRN Defence Force	RAF Honington
	9 GROUP RAF		Force Protection Wings & Sqns			RAF Honington
HQ RAF FIGHTER COMMAND					AOC FC reports to CUKAF	HQ UKAF High Wycombe
	1 GROUP RAF					RAF Marham
		1st Strike Fighter Wing (OCU)	201 SQN RAF	202 SQN RAF	Lightning II	RAF Marham
		2nd Strike Fighter Wing	617 SQN RAF	619 SQN RAF	Lightning II	RAF Marham
		3rd Strike Fighter Wing	801 SQN RN	809 SQN RN	Lightning II	RAF Marham
	2 GROUP RAF					RAF Coningsby
		1st Fighter Wing	3 SQN RAF	12 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Coningsby
		3rd Fighter Wing (OCU)	11 SQN RAF	15 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Coningsby
		5th Fighter Wing	29 SQN RAF	111 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Coningsby
	3 GROUP RAF					RAF Lossiemouth
		2nd Fighter Wing	1 SQN RAF	9 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Lossiemouth
		4th Fighter Wing	2 SQN RAF	16 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Lossiemouth
		6th Fighter Wing	6 SQN RAF	43 SQN RAF	Typhoon FGR4	RAF Lossiemouth

HQ RAF SUPPORT COMMAND					AOC SC reports to CUKAF	HQ UKAF High Wycombe
	4 GROUP RAF					RAF Waddington
		1st AWACS Wing	8 SQN RAF	20 SQN RAF	Sentry AEW1	RAF Waddington
		1st ISTAR Wing	5 SQN RAF	28 SQN RAF	Sentinel R1 / Rivet Joint R1	RAF Waddington
		2nd ISTAR Wing	13 SQN RAF	39 SQN RAF	MQ-9A Reaper	RAF Waddington
		3rd ISTAR Wing	14 SQN RAF	655 SQN AAC	Shadow R1 / Defender AL2	RAF Waddington
		1st Maritime Patrol Wing	204 SQN RAF	205 SQN RAF	Voyager MPA / Atlas MPA	RAF Brize Norton
	5 GROUP RAF					RAF Brize Norton
		1st Strategic Airlift Wing	10 SQN RAF	101 SQN RAF	KC-30 Voyager	RAF Brize Norton
		2nd Strategic Airlift Wing	47 SQN RAF	56 SQN RAF	A400M Atlas	RAF Brize Norton
		3rd Strategic Airlift Wing	70 SQN RAF	74 SQN RAF	A400M Atlas	RAF Brize Norton
		4th Strategic Airlift Wing	99 SQN RAF	216 SQN RAF	C17 Globemaster	RAF Brize Norton
	6 GROUP RAF					RAF Northolt
		1st Air Assault Wing	25 SQN RAF	30 SQN RAF	Hercules C130J	RAF Brize Norton
		1st Command Mobility Wing	32 SQN RAF	42 SQN RAF	BAE 146 / BAE 125	RAF Northolt
		2nd Command Mobility Wing	52 SQN RAF	658 SQN AAC	AW109 / Islander AL1	RAF Northolt

HQ TACTICAL AIR COMMAND			Close Air Support for UKNF & UKLF		AOC TAC reports to CUKAF	HQ UKAF High Wycombe
	HQ 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE					HQ UKLF Andover
	10 GROUP RAF					RAF Valley
		1st Tactical Strike Wing	4 SQN RAF	19 SQN RAF	Hawk 2	RAF Valley
		2nd Tactical Strike Wing	100 SQN RAF	120 SQN RAF	Hawk 2	RAF Leeming
		3rd Tactical Strike Wing	208 SQN RAF	209 SQN RAF	Hawk 2	RAF Valley
	11 GROUP RAF					RAF Odiham
		1st Tactical Airlift Wing	7 SQN RAF	657 SQN AAC	Chinook HC2 / Lynx AH9	RAF Odiham
		2nd Tactical Airlift Wing	18 SQN RAF	22 SQN RAF	Chinook HC3	RAF Odiham
		3rd Tactical Airlift Wing	27 SQN RAF	51 SQN RAF	Chinook HC3	RAF Odiham
	12 GROUP RAF					RAF Benson
		4th Tactical Airlift Wing	33 SQN RAF	203 SQN RAF	Puma HC3	RAF Benson
		5th Tactical Airlift Wing	230 SQN RAF	232 SQN RAF	Puma HC3	RAF Benson
	HQ FLEET AIR ARM					HQ UKNF Portsmouth
	14 NAVAL AIR GROUP					RNAS Culdrose
		1st Maritime Air Wing	814 NAS RN	854 NAS RN	Merlin HM2	RNAS Culdrose
		2nd Maritime Air Wing	820 NAS RN	857 NAS RN	Merlin HM2	RNAS Culdrose
		3rd Maritime Air Wing	824 NAS RN	825 NAS RN	Merlin HM2	RNAS Culdrose
		4th Maritime Air Wing	815 NAS RN	816 NAS RN	Wildcat HMA2	RNAS Yeovilton
	15 NAVAL AIR GROUP					RNAS Yeovilton
		1st Commando Air Wing	845 NAS RN	848 NAS RN	Merlin HC3	RNAS Yeovilton
		2nd Commando Air Wing	846 NAS RN	849 NAS RN	Merlin HC3	RNAS Yeovilton
		3rd Commando Air Wing	847 NAS RM	659 SQN AAC	Wildcat AH1 – Reconnaissance	RNAS Yeovilton
	HQ ARMY AIR CORPS					AAC Middle Wallop
	16 ARMY AIR GROUP					AAC Wattisham
		2nd Regiment AAC	653 SQN AAC	662 SQN AAC	Apache AH1 – Air Cavalry	AAC Wattisham
		3rd Regiment AAC	654 SQN AAC	663 SQN AAC	Apache AH1 – Air Cavalry	AAC Wattisham
		4th Regiment AAC	656 SQN AAC	664 SQN AAC	Apache AH1 – Air Cavalry	AAC Wattisham
	17 ARMY AIR GROUP					AAC Middle Wallop
		1st Regiment AAC	652 SQN AAC	661 SQN AAC	Wildcat AH1 – Reconnaissance	RNAS Yeovilton
		5th Regiment AAC	651 SQN AAC	665 SQN AAC	Lynx AH9 – Air Mobility	AAC Dishforth

NOTES

RAF groups are commanded by group captains and consist of a number of wings commanded by wing commanders. A group commander can also be the station commander. Each wing consists of two flying squadrons (each bearing a traditional squadron number), one command squadron and one support squadron. Each squadron is commanded by a squadron leader, though additional squadron leaders can lead in specific aspects of the squadron’s tasks.

FAA groups are commanded by captains RN; wings by commanders RN and squadrons by lieutenant-commanders RN. AAC groups are commanded by colonels; regiments by lieutenant-colonels and squadrons by majors.

Fighter Command: The principal objective of the RAF must be to maintain air supremacy over the territory of the United Kingdom and its maritime approaches. Even though the risk of air attack on our cities is very low at present the impact of conventional air strikes would be immense. Also the USA has set the precedent of RPAS strikes against their enemies in other people’s countries and we need to be able to counter similar strikes on our territory from other actual or potential naval & air powers.

Maritime Patrol Wing: 204 Squadron uses 3 x Voyager for high level maritime patrol and 205 Squadron uses 4 x Atlas for low level anti-submarine warfare. The end of the Afghanistan campaign should cut the numbers of aircraft needed for strategic airlift. Using existing aircraft avoids adding yet another type of aircraft to the RAF fleet. Seven aircraft are not sufficient to maintain constant patrols over the North Atlantic and North Sea but they are better than nothing at all.

Tactical Strike Wings: Hawks are used for low-level close air support for UK Land Forces. Typhoons & Lightnings are far too valuable to be risked over the front-line; they should stand-off and fire air to surface missiles at ground targets. The Hawks and their pilots are also used for fast-jet flying training in 4 Flying Training School.

Annexe IV (Major Combat Units of the British Army and Royal Marines)

THE BRITISH ARMY & THE ROYAL MARINES

1: Battlegroups are the basic fighting formations of the British Army and are based on the Major Combat Units (MCU) listed below plus Combat Support batteries and squadrons. All officers and soldiers in an MCU, other than those attached, wear the MCU’s cap badge, etc. Basic Combat Units (BCU) are the Infantry Companies and Cavalry Squadrons that do the fighting and are the component parts of the MCUs. Each BCU is an independent unit with its own unique title and can operate under any BG HQ.

2: Reserve Yeomanry Regts, Artillery Regts (not HAC) and Infantry Bns are disbanded and merged with Regular Regts & Bns so that the Reserve Squadrons, Batteries and Companies are fully integrated in the Regts and Bns with their Regular counterparts.

3: Command Mobility & Protection Squadrons provide armoured mobility and protection to Bde HQ staff and attached troops.

4: AnMCU is supported by a Combat Services Support Yeomanry Squadron with: HQ Tp; Personnel Support Tp; Medical Support Tp; Logistic Support Tp; & Equipment Support Tp. Sqns are commanded by a major from the MCU. Tps are commanded by captains from the CSS corps. Sqns are staffed by officers and soldiers from the MCU and the CSS corps. Sqn establishments will change according to role & location of MCU.

THE HOUSEHOLD DIVISION (CAVALRY)

ARMOURED

THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT

HCR

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

1st Squadron

WINDSOR

The Life Guards

The Royal Horse Guards

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

3rd Squadron

A Squadron

The Life Guards

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons)

4 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

1 (CSS)Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

CEREMONIAL &

THE HOUSEHOLD DIVISION MOUNTED REGIMENT

HDMR

ROYAL PROTECTION

HQ & Liaison Squadron

Was HCMR

2nd Squadron

2nd Company

LONDON

The Life Guards

The Grenadier Guards

(CO = Col)

Primary role is ceremonial. Secondary role is protection of Royal Family and central government.

Ceremonial Horse Squadron

Ceremonial Footguards company

(2IC = LtCol)

2nd Squadron

2nd Company

The Royal Horse Guards

The Coldstream Guards

Ceremonial Horse Squadron

Ceremonial Footguards company

King’s Troop

2nd Company

The Royal Horse Artillery

The Scots Guards

Ceremonial Horse Battery

Ceremonial Footguards company

2 (RAVC) Squadron

3 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

THE ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS

LIGHT

THE QUEEN’S DRAGOON GUARDS

QDG

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

SWANTON

1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards

The Queen’s Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards)

MORLEY

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

C Squadron

D Squadron

1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards

The Queen’s Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards)

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

8 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Shropshire

The Queen’s Dragoon Guards

Cheshire

Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Pembroke (Castlemartin) Yeomanry

LIGHT

THE ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS

SCOTS DG

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

LEUCHARS

3rd Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

C Squadron

D Squadron

6th Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)

The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

2 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Scotland

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)

Scotland

Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry

ARMOURED

THE ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS

RDG

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

CATTERICK

4th Royal Dragoon Guards

5th Royal Dragoon Guards

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

C Squadron

D Squadron

7th Royal Dragoon Guards

The Royal Inniskillings (6th Dragoons)

1 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Lancashire

The Royal Dragoon Guards

The North Irish Horse

N Ireland

Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry (The Queen’s Own)

HEAVY

THE QUEEN’S ROYAL HUSSARS

QRH

ARMOUR

4 x Challenger II HQ & ISTAR Squadron 8 x Scimitar II

A Squadron

B Squadron

Can form two Armoured Combat Groups, each 30 x MBT

& 4 x CVR (T).

TIDWORTH

3rd Queen’s Own Royal Hussars

4th Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

C Squadron

D Squadron

7th Queen’s Own Royal Hussars

8th Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Gloucestershire

The Queen’s Royal Hussars

Worcestershire

Reserve Armoured Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars Yeomanry

ARMOURED

THE ROYAL LANCERS

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

CATTERICK

9th/12th Royal Lancers

16th/5th Queen’s Royal Lancers

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

C Squadron

D Squadron

9th/12th Royal Lancers

17th/21st Queen’s Royal Lancers

7 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

Heavy Reconnaissance Squadron

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Leicestershire

The Royal Lancers

Nottinghamshire

Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Lincolnshire Yeomanry

HEAVY

THE KING’S ROYAL HUSSARS

KRH

ARMOUR

4 x Challenger II HQ & ISTAR Squadron 8 x Scimitar II

A Squadron

B Squadron

Can form two Armoured Combat Groups, each 30 x MBT

& 4 x CVR (T).

TIDWORTH

10th King’s Royal Hussars

14th King’s Royal Hussars

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

C Squadron

D Squadron

11th King’s Royal Hussars

20th King’s Royal Hussars

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Dorset

The King’s Royal Hussars

Devon

Reserve Armoured Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Hampshire Carabiniers Yeomanry

LIGHT

THE LIGHT DRAGOONS

CAVALRY

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

CATTERICK

13th Light Dragoons

15th Light Dragoons

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

C Squadron

D Squadron

18th Light Dragoons

19th Light Dragoons

Light Reconnaissance Squadron

5 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

Northumberland

The Light Dragoons

Yorkshire

Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron

G (CSS) Squadron

The Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry

5: Officers and soldiers serving in regular and reserve companies, squadrons and batteries wear a Velcro patch on their right breast giving details of their minor unit’s title. See example.

1st Company

The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

1st Regiment of Foot

6: Armd Cav & Lt Cav Regts form Brigade Command Battle Groups, with an attached Bde HQ & Signals Sqn, a UAS Arty Bty and an Intel Coy.

HEAVY

THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT

RTR

ARMOUR

4 x Challenger II HQ & ISTAR Squadron 8 x Scimitar II

1 Squadron

2 Squadron

Can form two Armoured Combat Groups, each 30 x MBT

& 4 x CVR (T).

TIDWORTH

The Royal Tank Regiment

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

3 Squadron

4 Squadron

The Royal Tank Regiment

Armoured Squadron (14 x Challenger II)

5 (Reserve) Squadron

6 (Reserve) Squadron

Wiltshire

The Royal Tank Regiment

Wiltshire

Reserve Armoured Squadron

A (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (Prince of Wales’s Own)

AIRBORNE FORCES

AIRBORNE

1ST BATTALION, THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

1 PARA

HQ & ISTAR

HQ & ISTAR Company

COLCHESTER

4 PARA Company

5 PARA Company

1 PARA forms 1 PARA Command Battle Group with attached Bde HQ & Sig Sqn, UAS Bty RA, Int Coy & FAC Sqn RAF.

The Parachute Regiment

Special Forces Support Company

6 PARA Company

8 PARA Company

The Parachute Regiment

6 Brigade Pathfinders

6 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Coy

10 PARA (Reserve) Company

7 PARA = 7 Parachute Regt RHA

London

The Parachute Regiment

9 PARA = 9 Parachute Sqn RE

6 Brigade Reserve Defence & Security Coy

A (CSS) Squadron

The Airborne Yeomanry

AIRBORNE

2ND BATTALION, THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

2 PARA

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

11 PARA Company

13 PARA Company

COLCHESTER

The Parachute Regiment

Air Assault Company

14 PARA Company

16 PARA Company

The Parachute Regiment

Air Assault Company

12 PARA (Reserve) Company

Pudsey

The Parachute Regiment

Reserve Air Assault Company

B (CSS) Squadron

The Airborne Yeomanry

AIRBORNE

3RD BATTALION, THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

3 PARA

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

17 PARA Company

18 PARA Company

COLCHESTER

The Parachute Regiment

Air Assault Company

19 PARA Company

20 PARA Company

The Parachute Regiment

Air Assault Company

15 PARA (Reserve) Company

Glasgow

The Parachute Regiment

Reserve Air Assault Company

C (CSS) Squadron

The Airborne Yeomanry

SPECIAL

22ND SPECIAL AIR FORCE REGIMENT

22 SAS

FORCES

HQ & ISTAR Squadron

A Squadron

B Squadron

HEREFORD

22nd Special Air Service Regiment

Special Forces Squadron

C Squadron

G Squadron

22nd Special Air Service Regiment

Special Forces Squadron

E (Reserve) Squadron

F (Reserve) Squadron

21st Special Air Service Regiment (Artist’s Rifles)

23rd Special Air Service Regiment

Reserve Special Forces Squadron

D (CSS) Squadron

The Airborne Yeomanry

THE HOUSEHOLD DIVISION (FOOTGUARDS)

HEAVY PM

1ST BATTALION, THE GRENADIER GUARDS

1 GRENR GDS

INFANTRY HQ & ISTAR Company

3rd Company

4th Company

Guards

ALDERSHOT

The Grenadier Guards

Division

5th Company

6th Company

The Grenadier Guards

2nd (Reserve) Company

1st (Reserve) Company

Balham &

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

The London Regiment

Westminster

Blackheath

7th Regiment of Foot

4 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

LIGHT

1ST BATTALION, THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS

1 COLDM GDS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

3rd Company

4th Company

Guards

WINDSOR

The Coldstream Guards

Division

5th Company

6th Company

The Coldstream Guards

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Ashington

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

The London Regiment

Westminster

5th Regiment of Foot

5 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

HEAVY PM

1ST BATTALION, THE SCOTS GUARDS

1 SCOTS GDS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

3rd Company

4th Company

Guards

ALDERSHOT

The Scots Guards

Division

5th Company

6th Company

The Scots Guards

3rd (Reserve) Company

Scotland

The Royal Scots Fusiliers

The London Regiment

Catford

21st Regiment of Foot

6 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

LIGHT

1ST BATTALION, THE IRISH GUARDS

1 IRISH GDS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

2nd Company

3rd Company

Guards

HOUNSLOW

The Irish Guards

Division

4th Company

5th Company

The Irish Guards

2nd (Reserve) Company

4th (Reserve) Company

N Ireland

The Royal Irish Fusiliers

The London Regiment

Camberwell

87th & 89th Regiments of Foot

7 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

1ST BATTALION, THE WELSH GUARDS

1 WELSH GDS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

2nd Company

3rd Company

Guards

PIRBRIGHT

The Welsh Guards

Division

4th Company

5th Company

The Welsh Guards

3rd (Reserve) Company

5th (Reserve) Company

Wrexham

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The London Regiment

Camberwell

23rd Regiment of Foot

8 (CSS) Squadron

The Guards Yeomanry

THE INFANTRY OF THE LINE

LIGHT

1ST (52ND LOWLAND) BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENTS OF SCOTLAND

1 SCOTS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Scottish

BELFAST

The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers

Division

1st Regiment of Foot

25th Regiment of Foot

2nd Company

The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers

1st Regiment of Foot

25th Regiment of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Scotland

The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers

Scotland

1st Regiment of Foot

25th Regiment of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry

LIGHT

2ND (52ND LOWLAND) BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENTS OF SCOTLAND

2 SCOTS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Scottish

EDINBURGH

The Royal Scots Fusiliers

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Division

21st Regiment of Foot

26th & 90th Regiments of Foot

See also

2nd Company

1st Company

1 SCOTS GDS

The Royal Scots Fusiliers

The Highland Light Infantry

21st Regiment of Foot

71st & 74th Regiments of Foot

4th (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Scotland

The Royal Scots Fusiliers

The Highland Light Infantry

Scotland

21st Regiment of Foot

71st & 74th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Ayrshire Yeomanry (Earl of Carrick’s Own)

LIGHT PM

3RD (51ST HIGHLAND) BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENTS OF SCOTLAND

3 SCOTS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Scottish

FORT

The Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment)

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Division

GEORGE

42nd & 73rd Regiments of Foot

91st & 93rd Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

The Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment)

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

42nd & 73rd Regiments of Foot

91st & 93rd Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Scotland

The Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment)

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Scotland

42nd & 73rd Regiments of Foot

91st & 93rd Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry

HEAVY PM

4TH (51ST HIGHLAND) BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENTS OF SCOTLAND

4 SCOTS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Scottish

CATTERICK

The Seaforth Highlanders

The Gordon Highlanders

Division

72nd & 78th Regiments of Foot

75th & 92nd Regiments of Foot

1st Company

2nd Company

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders

The Gordon Highlanders

79th Regiment of Foot

75th & 92nd Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

3rd (Reserve) Company

Scotland

The Seaforth Highlanders

The Gordon Highlanders

Scotland

72nd & 78th Regiments of Foot

75th & 92nd Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Lanarkshire Yeomanry

ARMOURED

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL SAXON REGIMENTS

1 SAXON

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

Was 1 PWRR

1st Company

Queen’s

BULFORD

The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

The Buffs (The Royal East Kent Regiment)

Division

2nd Regiment of Foot

3rd Regiment of Foot

1st Company

The East Surrey Regiment

The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment

31st & 75th Regiments of Foot

50th & 97th Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Farnham

The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

The Buffs (The Royal East Kent Regiment)

Dover

2nd Regiment of Foot

3rd Regiment of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles Yeomanry

LIGHT

2ND BATTALION, THE ROYAL SAXON REGIMENTS

2 SAXON

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

Was 2 PWRR

1st Company

Queen’s

CYPRUS

The Royal Sussex Regiment

The Royal Hampshire Regiment

Division

35th & 107th Regiments of Foot

37th & 67th Regiments of Foot

1st Company

2nd Company

The Middlesex Regiment

The Royal Hampshire Regiment

57th & 77th Regiments of Foot

37th & 67th Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Brighton

The Royal Sussex Regiment

The Middlesex Regiment

Edgware

35th & 107th Regiments of Foot

57th & 77th Regiments of Foot

& Hornsey

A (CSS) Squadron

The Hampshire Carabiniers Yeomanry

The Royal Saxon Regiments is a new name for The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. This follows the modern naming convention – eg Scots, Mercian, Yorkshire, etc. The South, Middle and West Saxons lived in the modern regiment’s recruiting area.

ARMOURED

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENTS OF FUSILIERS

1 FUSILIERS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Queen’s

TIDWORTH

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers

Division

5th Regiment of Foot

6th Regiment of Foot

See also

1st Company

1 GRENR GDS

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

The Lancashire Fusiliers

1 COLDM GDS

7th Regiment of Foot

20th Regiment of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Newcastle

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers

Birmingham

5th Regiment of Foot

6th Regiment of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry

LIGHT

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTS

1 ANGLIAN

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Queen’s

WOOLWICH

The Royal Norfolk Regiment

The Suffolk Regiment

Division

9th Regiment of Foot

12th Regiment of Foot

1st Company

The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment

The Essex Regiment

16th Regiment of Foot

44th & 56th Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Norwich

The Royal Norfolk Regiment

The Essex Regiment

Chelmsford

9th Regiment of Foot

44th & 56th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Norfolk Yeomanry (The King’s Own Royal Regiment)

LIGHT PM

2ND BATTALION, THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTS

2 ANGLIAN

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Queen’s

COTTESMORE

The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment

Division

10th Regiment of Foot

17th Regiment of Foot

2nd Company

1st Company

The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment

The Northamptonshire Regiment

10th Regiment of Foot

48th & 58th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Lincoln

The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment

Leicester

10th Regiment of Foot

17th Regiment of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Leicestershire Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

1ST BATTALION, THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENTS

1 LANCS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

King’s

CYPRUS

The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)

The East Lancashire Regiment

Division

4th Regiment of Foot

30th & 69th Regiments of Foot

1st Company

The Border Regiment

The South Lancashire Regiment

34th & 55th Regiments of Foot

40th & 82nd Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Workington

The Border Regiment

The East Lancashire Regiment

Blackburn

34th & 55th Regiments of Foot

30th & 69th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Duke of Lancaster’s Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

2ND BATTALION, THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENTS

2 LANCS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

King’s

WEETON

The King’s Regiment (Liverpool)

The Manchester Regiment

Division

8th Regiment of Foot

63rd & 96th Regiments of Foot

1st Company

2nd Company

The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)

The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)

47th & 81st Regiments of Foot

4th Regiment of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Liverpool

The King’s Regiment (Liverpool)

The Manchester Regiment

Manchester

8th Regiment of Foot

63rd & 96th Regiments of Foot

B (CSS) Squadron

The Duke of Lancaster’s Yeomanry

ARMOURED

1ST BATTALION, THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENTS

1 YORKS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

King’s

WARMINSTER

The West Yorkshire Regiment

The East Yorkshire Regiment

Division

14th Regiment of Foot

15th Regiment of Foot

2nd Company

1st Company

The West Yorkshire Regiment

The York & Lancaster Regiment

14th Regiment of Foot

65th & 84th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Middlesborough

The West Yorkshire Regiment

The East Yorkshire Regiment

Hull

14th Regiment of Foot

15th Regiment of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The East Riding Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

2ND BATTALION, THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENTS

2 YORKS

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

King’s

CATTERICK

The Green Howards

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

Division

19th Regiment of Foot

33rd & 76th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

The Green Howards

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

19th Regiment of Foot

33rd & 76th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Huddersfield

The Green Howards

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

Barnsley

19th Regiment of Foot

33rd & 76th Regiments of Foot

B (CSS) Squadron

The East Riding Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL IRISH REGIMENTS

1 R IRISH

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

King’s

TERN HILL

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The Royal Ulster Rifles

Division

27th & 108th Regiments of Foot

83rd & 86th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

1st Company

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The Royal Irish Fusiliers

See also

27th & 108th Regiments of Foot

87th & 89th Regiments of Foot

1 IRISH GDS

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Armagh

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The Royal Ulster Rifles

Newtonards

27th & 108th Regiments of Foot

83rd & 86th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The North Irish Yeomanry

ARMOURED

1ST BATTALION, THE MERCIAN REGIMENTS

1 MERCIAN

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

Prince

1st Company

of Wales’s

BULFORD

The Cheshire Regiment

The Worcestershire Regiment

Division

22nd Regiment of Foot

29th & 36th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

1st Company

The Cheshire Regiment

The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt)

22nd Regiment of Foot

45th & 95th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Warrington

The Cheshire Regiment

The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt)

Mansfield,

Cheshire

22nd Regiment of Foot

45th & 95th Regiments of Foot

Notts

A (CSS) Squadron

The Cheshire Yeomanry (Earl of Chester’s)

LIGHT

2ND BATTALION, THE MERCIAN REGIMENTS

2 MERCIAN

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Prince

CHESTER

The South Staffordshire Regiment

The North Staffordshire Regiment

of Wales’s

38th & 80th Regiments of Foot

64th & 98th Regiments of Foot

Division

2nd Company

The South Staffordshire Regiment

The North Staffordshire Regiment

38th & 80th Regiments of Foot

64th & 98th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Wolverhampton

The South Staffordshire Regiment

The North Staffordshire Regiment

Stoke-on-Trent

38th & 80th Regiments of Foot

64th & 98th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Staffordshire Yeomanry (The Queen’s Own Royal Regiment)

ARMOURED

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL WELSH REGIMENTS

1 R WELSH

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

Prince

TIDWORTH

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The South Wales Borderers

of Wales’s

23rd Regiment of Foot

24th Regiment of Foot

Division

1st Company

2nd Company

The Welch Regiment

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

See also

41st & 69th Regiments of Foot

23rd Regiment of Foot

1 WELSH GDS

2nd (Reserve) Company

The South Wales Borderers

The Welch Regiment

24th Regiment of Foot

41st & 69th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Glamorgan Yeomanry

LIGHT

1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES

1 GURKHA

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

SHORNCLIFFE

The 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 6th Royal Gurkha Rifles

The Brigade

King Edward VII’s Own

Queen Elizabeth’s Own

of Gurkhas

2nd Company

The 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 6th Royal Gurkha Rifles

King Edward VII’s Own

Queen Elizabeth’s Own

3rd (Reserve) Company

Aldershot

The 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 6th Royal Gurkha Rifles

Aldershot

King Edward VII’s Own

Queen Elizabeth’s Own

A (CSS) Squadron

The Queen’s Own Royal Gurkha Yeomanry

LIGHT

2ND BATTALION, THE ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES

2 GURKHA

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

BRUNEI

The 7th Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 10th Royal Gurkha Rifles

The Brigade

Duke of Edinburgh’s Own

Princess Mary’s Own

of Gurkhas

2nd Company

The 7th Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 10th Royal Gurkha Rifles

Duke of Edinburgh’s Own

Princess Mary’s Own

3rd (Reserve) Company

Aldershot

The 7th Royal Gurkha Rifles

The 10th Royal Gurkha Rifles

Aldershot

Duke of Edinburgh’s Own

Princess Mary’s Own

B (CSS) Squadron

The Queen’s Own Royal Gurkha Yeomanry

LIGHT

1ST (WESSEX) BATTALION, THE RIFLES

1 RIFLES

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

The Light

CHEPSTOW

The Devonshire Regiment

The Somerset Light Infantry

Division

11th Regiment of Foot

13th Regiment of Foot

1st Company

The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

The Dorset Regiment

32nd & 46th Regiments of Foot

39th & 54th Regiments of Foot

2nd (Reserve) Company

Exeter

The Devonshire Regiment

The Dorset Regiment

Dorchester

11th Regiment of Foot

39th & 54th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Duke of Cornwall’s Yeomanry

LIGHT

2ND (LONDON) BATTALION, THE RIFLES

2 RIFLES

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

The Light

LISBURN

The 60th Rifles (King’s Royal Rifle Corps)

The 95th Rifles (Rifle Brigade)

Division

The Royal Green Jackets

2nd Company

The 60th Rifles (King’s Royal Rifle Corps)

The 95th Rifles (Rifle Brigade)

The Royal Green Jackets

3rd (Reserve) Company

London

The 60th Rifles (King’s Royal Rifle Corps)

The 95th Rifles (Rifle Brigade)

London

(Davies St)

The Royal Green Jackets

(West Ham)

A (CSS) Squadron

The London Sharpshooters Yeomanry

LIGHT PM

3RD (LIGHT) BATTALION, THE RIFLES

3 RIFLES

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

The Light

EDINBURGH

The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The Durham Light Infantry

Division

51st & 105th Regiments of Foot

68th & 106th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The Durham Light Infantry

51st & 105th Regiments of Foot

68th & 106th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Lancaster

The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The Durham Light Infantry

Durham

51st & 105th Regiments of Foot

68th & 106th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry

HEAVY PM

4TH (LIGHT) BATTALION, THE RIFLES

4 RIFLES

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

The Light

ALDERSHOT

The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Division

43rd & 52nd Regiments of Foot

53rd & 86th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

43rd & 52nd Regiments of Foot

53rd & 86th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

Oxford

The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Shrewsbury

43rd & 52nd Regiments of Foot

53rd & 86th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry

ARMOURED

5TH (WESSEX) BATTALION, THE RIFLES

5 RIFLES

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

1st Company

The Light

BULFORD

The Gloucestershire Regiment

The Royal Berkshire Regiment

Division

28th & 61st Regiments of Foot

49th & 66th Regiments of Foot

2nd Company

1st Company

The Gloucestershire Regiment

The Wiltshire Regiment

28th & 61st Regiments of Foot

62nd & 99th Regiments of Foot

3rd (Reserve) Company

2nd (Reserve) Company

Gloucester

The Gloucestershire Regiment

The Royal Berkshire Regiment

Reading

28th & 61st Regiments of Foot

49th & 66th Regiments of Foot

A (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (Prince of Wales’s Own)

COMMANDO FORCES

COMMANDO

30 COMMANDO, THE ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

30 CDO

HQ & ISTAR

HQ Squadron

1 Squadron

2 Squadron

The Royal Marines Commandos

PLYMOUTH

3 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron

3 Brigade Command Mobility & Protection Sqn

3 CDO BDE

3 Squadron

4 Squadron

The Royal Marines Commandos

Communications & Information Systems Squadron

Electronic Warfare Squadron

5 Squadron

6 Squadron

The Royal Marines Commandos

Amphibious Armoured Squadron (Viking)

A (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

COMMANDO

40 COMMANDO, THE ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

40 CDO

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

A Company

B Company

PLYMOUTH

The Royal Marines Commandos

3 CDO BDE

Close Combat Company

C Company

D Company

The Royal Marines Commandos

Stand Off Company

B (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

COMMANDO

42 COMMANDO, THE ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

42 CDO

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

J Company

K Company

TAUNTON

The Royal Marines Commandos

3 CDO BDE

Close Combat Company

L Company

M Company

The Royal Marines Commandos

Stand Off Company

C (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

FLEET

43 COMMANDO, THE ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

43 CDO

PROTECTION

HQ Company

N Company

P Company

CLYDE

The Royal Marines Commandos

3 CDO BDE

Fleet Protection Company

Q Company

R Company

The Royal Marines Commandos

Fleet Protection Company

D (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

COMMANDO

45 COMMANDO, THE ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS

45 CDO

INFANTRY

HQ & ISTAR Company

W Company

X Company

ARBROATH

The Royal Marines Commandos

3 CDO BDE

Close Combat Company

Y Company

Z Company

The Royal Marines Commandos

Stand Off Company

E (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

SPECIAL

THE SPECIAL BOAT SERVICE, ROYAL MARINES

SBS RM

FORCES

HQ Squadron

1 Squadron

2 Squadron

POOLE

The Special Boat Service

3 CDO BDE

Special Forces squadron

3 Squadron

4 Squadron

The Special Boat Service

Special Forces squadron

F (CSS) Squadron

The Royal Marines Commando Yeomanry

THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY

ARMOURED

1ST REGIMENT, ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

1 RHA

ARTILLERY

O / HQ Battery (The Rocket Troop)

A Battery (The Chestnut Troop)

B Battery

LARKHILL

The Royal Horse Artillery

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

E Battery

L (Nery) Battery

The Royal Horse Artillery

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

Blythe

203 Reserve Battery

204 Reserve Battery

Newcastle

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Reserve GMLRS Battery

B (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (The Prince of Wales’s Own)

ARMOURED

19TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

19 RA

ARTILLERY

13 / HQ Battery (Martinique 1809)

5 (Gibraltar 1779-1783)Battery

28/143 Battery (Tomb’s Troop)

The Scottish

LARKHILL

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Gunners

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

52 (Niagara) Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

Arbroath &

212 Reserve Battery

278 Reserve Battery

Edinburgh

Shetland

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Reserve Light 105mm Gun Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry

ARMOURED

26TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

26 RA

ARTILLERY

55 / HQ Battery (The Residency)

16 Battery (Sandham’s Company)

17 (Corunna) Battery

The West

LARKHILL

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Midland

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

Gunners

19 (Gibraltar 1779-1783) Battery

159 (Colenso) Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Armoured AS90 SP 155mm Gun Battery

205 Reserve Battery

269 Reserve Battery

South Shields

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Leeds

Reserve GMLRS Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Shropshire Yeomanry

AIR DEFENCE

12TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

12 RA

ARTILLERY

T / HQ Battery (Shah Sujah’s Troop)

9 (Plassey) Battery

12 (Minden) Battery

THORNEY

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

ISLAND

Starstreak HVM Air Defence Battery

58 (Eyre’s) Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Starstreak HVM Air Defence Battery

265 Reserve Battery

London

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Reserve Starstreak HVM Air Defence Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry

AIR DEFENCE

16TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

16 RA

ARTILLERY

11 / HQ (Sphinx) Battery

14 (Cole’s Kop) Battery

20 Battery

The London

THORNEY

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

& Kent

ISLAND

Rapier Air Defence Battery

Gunners

30 Battery (Roger’s Company)

32 (Minden) Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Rapier Air Defence Battery

295 Reserve Battery

457 Reserve Battery

Portsmouth

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Southampton

Reserve Rapier Air Defence Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Queen’s Own Dorset Yeomanry

LIGHT

3RD REGIMENT, ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

3 RHA

ARTILLERY

M / HQ Battery

C Battery

D Battery

The Liverpool

NORTHUMBERLAND

The Royal Horse Artillery

& Manchester

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Gunners

J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery

The Royal Horse Artillery

Light 105mm Gun Battery

208 Reserve Battery

209 Reserve Battery

Liverpool

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Manchester

Reserve Light 105mm Gun Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Westmoreland & Cumberland Yeomanry

LIGHT

4TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

4 RA

ARTILLERY

94 / HQ Battery (New Zealand)

3 (Corunna) Battery

88 (Arracan) Battery

The

TOPCLIFFE

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

North-East

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Gunners

97 Battery (Lawson’s Company)

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Light 105mm Gun Battery

210 Reserve Battery

216 Reserve Battery

Wolverhampton

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Bolton

Reserve Light 105mm Gun Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry

LIGHT

7TH REGIMENT, ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

7 RHA

ARTILLERY

H / HQ Battery (Ramsey’s Troop)

F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery

G Parachute Battery (Mercer’s Troop)

The

COLCHESTER

The Royal Horse Artillery

Airborne

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Gunners

I Parachute Battery (Bull’s Troop)

V Parachute Battery (Beane’s Troop)

The Royal Horse Artillery

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Forward Observation Battery

206 Reserve Battery

Newtonards

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

& Coleraine

Reserve Light 105mm Gun Battery

E (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Airborne Yeomanry

LIGHT

29TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

29 RA

ARTILLERY

23 / HQ Commando Battery (Gibraltar 1779-1783)

7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery

8 (Alma) Commando Battery

The

PLYMOUTH

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Commando

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Gunners

79 (Kirkee) Commando Battery

148 (Meiktila) Commando Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Light 105mm Gun Battery

Forward Observation Battery

207 Reserve Battery

Glasgow

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Reserve Light 105mm Gun Battery

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Army Commando Yeomanry

ISTAR

5TH REGIMENT, ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

5 RHA

ARTILLERY

Q / HQ Battery (Sanna’s Post)

K (Hondeghem) Battery

4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Battery

The

CATTERICK

The Royal Horse Artillery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Yorkshire

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

Gunners

P Battery (The Dragon Troop)

53 (Louisburg) Battery

The Royal Horse Artillery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

Z Battery

The Royal Horse Artillery

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

C (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry (The Queen’s Own)

ISTAR

32ND REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

32 RA

ARTILLERY

46 / HQ Battery (Talavera)

18 (Quebec 1759) Battery

22 (Gibraltar 1779-1783)Battery

LARKHILL

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

57 (Bhurtpore) Battery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

211 Reserve Battery

217 Reserve Battery

Cardiff

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Newport

Reserve Surveillance and Target Acquisition Bty

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Derbyshire Yeomanry

ISTAR

47TH REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY

47 RA

ARTILLERY

31 / HQ Battery

10 (Assaye) Battery

21 (Gibraltar 1779-1783) Battery

The Hampshire

LARKHILL

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

& Sussex

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery

Gunners

214 Reserve Battery

266 Reserve Battery

Worcester

The Royal Regiment of Artillery

Bristol

Reserve Surveillance and Target Acquisition Bty

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Sussex Yeomanry

ISTAR

THE HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY

HAC

ARTILLERY

HQ & Signals Squadron

The Gun Troop

1 Squadron

CITY OF

The Honourable Artillery Company

LONDON

Reserve Ceremonial Gun Battery

Reserve Surveillance and Target Acquisition Sqn

2 Squadron

3 Squadron

The Honourable Artillery Company

Reserve Surveillance and Target Acquisition Sqn

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The 1st London Yeomanry

THE ARMY AIR CORPS

AIR

1ST REGIMENT, ARMY AIR CORPS

1 AAC

MOBILITY

HQ & Signals Squadron

652 (Air Scout) Squadron

661 (Air Scout) Squadron

RNAS

The Army Air Corps

YEOVILTON

Air Reconnaissance Squadron (8 x Wildcat)

670 Squadron

679 Reserve Squadron

The Army Air Corps

Portsmouth &

Ground Support Squadron

Reserve Ground Support Squadron

Middle Wallop

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Bedfordshire Yeomanry

AIR

2ND REGIMENT, ARMY AIR CORPS

2 AAC

CAVALRY

HQ & Signals Squadron

653 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

662 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

AAC

The Army Air Corps

WATTISHAM

Air Cavalry Squadron (8 x Apache)

671 Squadron

676 Reserve Squadron

The Army Air Corps

AAC Wattisham

Ground Support Squadron

Reserve Ground Support Squadron

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Essex Yeomanry

AIR

3RD REGIMENT, ARMY AIR CORPS

3 AAC

CAVALRY

HQ & Signals Squadron

654 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

663 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

AAC

The Army Air Corps

WATTISHAM

Air Cavalry Squadron (8 x Apache)

672 Squadron

677 Reserve Squadron

The Army Air Corps

Bury St Edmonds

Ground Support Squadron

Reserve Ground Support Squadron

Suffolk

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Hertfordshire Yeomanry

AIR

4TH REGIMENT, ARMY AIR CORPS

4 AAC

CAVALRY

HQ & Signals Squadron

656 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

664 (Air Cavalry) Squadron

AAC

The Army Air Corps

WATTISHAM

Air Cavalry Squadron (8 x Apache)

673 Squadron

678 (Rifles) Reserve Squadron

The Army Air Corps

Milton Keynes

Ground Support Squadron

Reserve Ground Support Squadron

& Luton

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Leicestershire Yeomanry

AIR

5TH REGIMENT, ARMY AIR CORPS

5 AAC

MOBILITY

HQ & Signals Squadron

651 (Air Mobility) Squadron

665 (Air Mobility) Squadron

AAC

The Army Air Corps

DISHFORTH

Air Mobility Squadron (8 x Lynx AH9)

674 Squadron

675 (Rifles) Reserve Squadron

The Army Air Corps

Taunton

Ground Support Squadron

Reserve Ground Support Squadron

& Yeovil

A (Combat Services Support) Squadron

The Lincolnshire Yeomanry

Detached Squadrons

RAF

WADDINGTON

655 (Air Survey) Squadron

658 (Air Mobility) Squadron

RAF

NORTHOLT

The Army Air Corps

Air Surveillance Squadron (8 x Defender AL2)

Air Mobility Squadron (8 x Islander AL1)

RAF

ODIHAM

657 (Air Mobility) Squadron

659 (Air Scout) Squadron

RNAS

YEOVILTON

The Army Air Corps

Air Mobility Squadron (8 x Lynx AH9)

Air Reconnaissance Squadron (8 x Wildcat)

NB: 6 AAC & 7 AAC are AAC training regiments.

British Army, Strategy and Risk

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UK Defence Organisation – Levene and Army 2020

UK Defence Forces

UK Naval Forces

UK Land Forces

UK Air Forces

Rank structure

Aviators

Conclusion

Annexes

Annexe I (Armed Forces)

Annexe II (Land Forces)

Annexe III (Air Forces)

Annexe IV (Major Combat Units of the British Army and Royal Marines)

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