UK Ministry of Defence, The new UK Special Reconnaissance Regiment, which became operational in April 2005, held its inaugural parade on Friday 2nd September 2005 at an undisclosed location.
At the parade, Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, and Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mike Jackson took the salute from the Commanding Officer.
Welcoming this milestone in the Regiment's history, Defence Secretary John Reid said:
“The Special Reconnaissance Regiment is one of the new capabilities generated as part of the reshaping of our Armed Forces. They have greatly improved support to world-wide operations at a time when they are needed most in the ongoing fight against international terrorism.”
Following an inspection of the Regiment, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson told the assembled men and women:
“New threats require an agile and flexible response from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, who will have a central role in operations across the globe. I have complete faith in your ability and you have my full support.”
Individuals from all ranks of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, wearing their respective parent Service uniforms with the new SRR Regiment berets, participated in the parade.
Once the Special Reconnaissance Regiment had formed up, the Commanding Officer gave a salute to the Secretary of State, Chief of the General Staff and the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments), Lt General Sir Rob Fry. An inspection of the Regiment by the Chief of the General Staff was then followed by a general salute by the Regiment. The concluding Regimental march-past was accompanied by the Parachute Regiment Band.
The new Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) is part of the enhanced Special Forces requirement identified in the Strategic Defence Review 'New Chapter' published in July 2002, which stated that the Ministry of Defence was: “planning to enhance the capabilities of our Special Forces and their enablers to maximise their utility and flexibility.”
The Regiment draws its volunteer personnel from serving members of all three of the Armed Forces and operates under the command of Director Special Forces as part of the UK Special Forces group. It does not have a reservist component. Using a wide range of specialist skills and activities related to covert surveillance, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment provides support to international operations and reinforces the defence contribution to the Government's comprehensive strategy to counter international terrorism.
