299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers

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299 Parachute Squadron
299 Parachute Troop
299 Commando Troop
299 Parachute Engineer Squadron
299 Airborne Field Squadron
16th Air Assault Brigade, also used by 299 Parachute Squadron.
Active1947 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeField Engineers
SizeSquadron
Part ofRoyal Engineers
Squadron HQWakefield
Engagements
Insignia
Cap badge of the Royal Engineers
TRF of the Royal Engineers
DZ Flash of 23rd Engineer Regiment

299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers (299 Para Sqn) is a specialist field engineer

Corps of Royal Engineers
and the only reserve parachute unit of the corps. Formed in 1947 as an airborne field squadron, 299 Para Sqn would see many reorganisations and new roles, until 2006 when it took on the parachute role it maintains today. As of 2021, it is the only reserve parachute-trained squadron of the Royal Engineers.

History

In 1947, as part of the establishment of the post-war

National Service the next year, the 16th Airborne Division was broken up, and the engineer regiment became independent under London District. In 1961, the TA was reorganised, and the regiment was redesignated as 131st Parachute Engineer Regiment, retaining its independent role, now based in Chelsea (from 1949). However, because of an internal reorganisation, 299 Airborne Squadron was renamed as 299 Parachute Engineer Squadron became independent, now under Northern Command. In addition, Liverpool Troop of 300 Airborne Field Squadron also joined the squadron.[1][2][3] Another reorganisation by 1956 saw the squadron reorganised as follows:[1][3]

  • Squadron Headquarters, in Kingston upon Hull
  • No. 1 Troop, in Kingston upon Hill
  • No. 2 Field Troop, in Liverpool
  • No. 3 Field Troop, in Doncaster

In 1967, as a result of the

The Parachute Regiment.[1][2][3][4][5]

In 1977, as result of the

3rd Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines, and the squadron became 131st Independent Commando Squadron. Consequently, 299 Parachute Troop became 299 Commando Troop, though an official parachute capability was retained. Later, 299 Troop achieved an operational first by constructing the first Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) to be flown into position.[1][4]

In January 2003, 299 Troop was mobilised, along with the rest of 131 Independent Commando Squadron, for service on Operation TELIC, the forthcoming Invasion of Iraq. In the hours of darkness before 'H Hour', 299 Troop were busy clearing mines and other obstacles from 'Red Beach' in advance of a beach assault by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).[1][4]

A further restructuring of the Territorial Army called for the creation of a parachute trained Royal Engineer Squadron and on 6 June 2006, 299 Parachute Squadron RE (V) was officially reformed at a parade held at the new Squadron Headquarters in Wakefield. The new Squadron Colours were raised by Norman Sangwin — one of the few surviving members of the original 299 Airborne Field Squadron RE (TA).[1][4]

This new squadron was based on 299 Troop of 131 Commando Squadron RE (V), who became 1 Troop, and Minden Company,

72nd (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Engineer Regiment (V).[1][4][6][7][8]

Despite becoming part of the new 299 Para Squadron, 1 Troop still had an outstanding commitment to fulfil to 131 Independent Commando Squadron and the majority of the troop were mobilised for service in Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK V over the winter of 2006/7. The Sappers used their skills to provide close engineering support for 3rd Commando Brigade all over Helmand Province.  Since then 299 Parachute Squadron soldiers have deployed on Operation Herrick in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, serving as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 19th Light Brigade.[1][4]

In 2010, 299 Parachute Squadron RE was re-subordinated under 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) which was renamed as 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment in 2015.[1][4]

Organisation

Since 2017, the structure of the squadron has been as follows:[4][9][10][7][11]

  • Squadron Headquarters, in Wakefield
  • No. 1 Parachute Troop, in Kingston upon Hull
  • No. 2 Parachute Troop, in Wakefield
  • No. 3 Parachute Troop, in Gateshead
  • HQ & Support Troop, in Wakefield

Parachute training

On completion of basic training and entry into the squadron, soldiers are required to attempt All Arms Pre Parachute Selection (P Company). For reservists, this consists of six training weekends, followed by a 10-day selection course at Catterick.

Soldiers who pass P Coy are then offered the opportunity to attend a three week course at

C130 Hercules to qualify the parachutist as Combat Ready. [13]

The last time a British battalion-sized unit parachuted into combat was in 1956 during the Suez Crisis, but it is still considered a valid method of deployment.[14]

Footnotes

Notes

  1. Second World War
    , engineer 'companies' were redesigned as 'squadrons', though their size remained the same.

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "299 Parachute Squadron RE". Paradata. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b Watson & Rinaldi, p. 297
  3. ^ a b c Watson & Rinaldi, p. 303
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 321–322
  5. ^ "9 Independent Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers". Airborne Sappers. Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  6. ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 314
  7. ^ a b "Royal Engineers - 72 Engineer Regiment (V) - Organisation". 13 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Royal Engineers - 72 Engineer Regiment (V) - Sub Units". 13 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Freedom of Information (Act) question regarding locations of Army Reserve units" (PDF). What do they know?. 6 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  10. ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 335
  11. ^ "Royal Engineers - 72 Engineer Regiment (V) - 299 Parachute Squadron RE". 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Armed Forces paratroopers". Hansard. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Parachute training". Hansard. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  14. ^ "Parachute Battalion (Deployment)". Hansard. Retrieved 4 March 2011.

References

  • Watson, Graham E.; Rinaldi, Richard A. (2018). The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889 – 2018. United Kingdom: Tiger Lilly Books.
    ISBN 978-1717901804
    .
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