Specialised Infantry Group

Specialised Infantry Group
SIG
Brigade Tactical Recognition Flash
Active	October 2017 – 1 August 2021
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Role	Specialised Infantry Training
Size	Group
Part of	6th (United Kingdom) Division
Group HQ	Aldershot Garrison

The Specialised Infantry Group (SIG) was a formation of the British Army, created as a result of the Army 2020 Refine reorganisation, intended to train foreign forces. In August 2021, the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade and later expanded in size.

History

The Specialised Infantry Group is the second newest larger formation of the British Army. The group was formed for counter-terrorism training, operations, and specialised training. The group was formed in October 2017 when the two first battalions joined, being, 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES) and 1st Royal Scots Borderers Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS).

In February 2018 the group deployed their companies for the first time on operations. Just a few months later in July the group added the 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (2PWRR) and also the addition of the Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team.

In January 2019 the group added their fifth unit, 2nd (King's) Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment to the group. In April, the 3rd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles joined the group, making a total of 6 units.

Unlike the other battalions of the British Army the specialised infantry battalions will be a smaller, reduced, stregnth of 267 men compared to the normal 559. In 2019, the group joined the 6th (United Kingdom) Division after Force Troops Command was renamed in the beginning of August. In October, all units are expected to have at minimum a company deployed to Spec Inf Operations.

On 1 August 2021, the group was re-designated as the Army Special Operations Brigade and its battalions al subsequently joined.

Deployments

In February 2018, the 4th Battalion, The Rifles deployed for the first time to Kuwait to work with the Kuwait Army and Kuwait National Guard. R Company, 4 Rifles also trained the Afghan Army and forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. In July 2018, C Company from the 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment was dispatched to Nigeria, where 1 SCOTS have also been engaged in training the Nigerian Army for their fight against Boko Haram .

Composition

The composition of the Spec Inf Gp in December 2020 is listed below.

• Specialised Infantry Group
  • Group Headquarters and Signal Troop, Saint Omer Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
  • Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Palace Barracks, Belfast
  • 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, at Keogh Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
  • 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp
  • 4th Battalion, The Rifles, at Normandy Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp
  • Joint Counter Terrorism Training and Advisory Team (JCTTAT), Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp

Specialised infantry battalions have a strength of 267 soldiers compared to the other infantry battalions which have 559 or more.

Commanders

Commanders of the group have included:

• 2017—2019 Brigadier James Roddis
• 2019—2021 Brigadier Angus Fair

See also

• Security Force Assistance Brigades (US Army equivalent)