Note: This is part four of a multi-part series exploring elite components within the conventional British forces. The Pathfinder Platoon (PF), also known as the Pathfinder Group, is an elite airborne reconnaissance unit within the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Pathfinders work as… [Read more…]
Note: This is part four of a multi-part series exploring elite components within the conventional British forces. The Pathfinder Platoon (PF), also known as the Pathfinder Group, is an elite airborne reconnaissance unit within the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Pathfinders work as the Brigade’s eyes and ears, and operate far forward of the Brigade, behind enemy lines. There, they … [Read more…]
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom recently rescued three men who were lost off the southern coast of Wales. The three men weren’t lost at sea—they ended up on a small deserted island after a night of drinking. According to a report from the BBC, in the early hours of March 20th, the men anchored their cargo vessel, the Dutch-flagged Alana Evita, … [Read more…]
Note: This is part three of a multi-part series exploring elite components within the conventional British forces. During WWII, the British military required an elite airborne unit trained to fight behind enemy lines, and so the Parachute Regiment was born. The elite airborne unit, also known as the Paras, jumped into occupied Germany. Their mission was to capture crucial … [Read more…]
The bullet-ridden body of a former French intelligence officer was found in his car beside the road in the Alps. Daniel Forestier, who stood accused of plotting to assassinate an opposition politician from Congo-Brazzaville, was found covered in blood in Haute-Savoie, near Lake Léman. Officials from the police stated to the Guardian that the victim was killed “execution style,” … [Read more…]
Five Libyan men hijacked a good Samaritan oil tanker after the vessel rescued them and dozens of others in the Mediterranean Sea. The incident began on Tuesday when the El Hiblu 1, a 170-foot Palau-flagged bunkering tanker, responded to a request from a Libyan Coast Guard aircraft that had detected two small rubber rafts in distress north of the Libyan coast. After the El Hiblu … [Read more…]
Note: This is part two of a multi-part series exploring elite components within the conventional British forces. 148 Battery (Meiktila) is a unit comprised of specifically qualified men from the British Army and Royal Navy. Tasked with calling in artillery and airstrikes to support United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. The men of … [Read more…]
A 64-year-old man unexpectedly ejected from the rear seat of a Rafale B fighter during takeoff at Saint Dizier-Robinson air base in France. The unnamed man was reportedly a civilian who was invited to fly aboard the fighter during a routine training flight on March 20th. While details remain sparse, the man suffered back injuries some local media outlets have characterized … [Read more…]
In a recent series we examined the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) spectrum. In this series we’ll review the elite components within the conventional British forces. We will start with one of the U.K.’s most renowned units: the Royal Marines, an elite amphibious commando force of the Royal Navy. The Royal Marines (RMs), or Bootnecks as they call themselves, are a … [Read more…]
Note: This is part five of a multi-part series exploring the various units within the U.K. Special Forces (UKSF). The Special Air Service (SAS) is the British Army’s most distinguished and renowned special forces unit. From the moment operators of the 22 SAS emerged on the balconies of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980, the SAS became famous both at home and overseas. … [Read more…]
Note: This is part four of a multi-part series exploring the various units within the U.K. Special Forces (UKSF). The Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) is a fairly new special forces unit. Officially formed on 3 April, 2006, the SFSG is based on a core segment of the soldiers from the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (1 PARA), with added servicemen from the Royal Marines … [Read more…]
At 10:45 a.m. Monday, at 24 October Square in Utrecht, Netherlands, an attacker went onto a tram and opened fire on passengers. At least three passengers have died from gunshot wounds and five others have been wounded. The Special Intervention Service (DSI)—an overarching counterterror unit of the national police—is searching for the suspect who CNN reports is Gökmen Tanis, … [Read more…]
Note: This is part two of a multi-part series exploring the various units within the U.K. Special Forces (UKSF). The United Kingdom’s prolonged involvement in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) has created the demand for an increase in the country’s number of special forces operators. From that need emerged the United Kingdom’s newest special operations unit, the Special … [Read more…]
