| 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1948 - Present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Role | Combat engineering |
| Size |
4 squadrons 621 personnel[1] |
| Part of | 16 Air Assault Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Rock Barracks/Woodbridge Airfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk[2] |
| Engagements |
Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Jeremy Robinson |
23 Parachute Engineer Regiment is a Royal Engineers regiment in the British Army that was formed in 2003. It provides engineer support to 16 Air Assault Brigade in both the parachute and air assault role. The regiment is currently based at Rock Barracks in Suffolk and consists of three regular squadrons and one Army Reserve squadron. As part of 16 Air Assault Brigade it can be called upon to deploy on operations across the globe at extremely short notice.[3]
History[]
23 Engineer Regiment can trace its roots to the founding of the airborne forces of the Parachute Regiment and other related during World War II. In July 1948, 23rd Field Engineer Regiment was formed in Iserlohn from the former 2nd Division Divisional Engineer regiment. In December 1948, the regiment moved to Halen and two years later moved to Dortmund. In September 1957, 2 Field Squadron was allocated to 6th Infantry Brigade and 5 Field Squadron to the 5th Infantry Brigade. In May 1958, the regiment was split and its headquarters became the new "Headquarters Royal Engineers, 2nd Division".[citation needed] Eleven years later in April 1969, it was re-organised into the new 23 Engineer Regiment at Osnabruck. The regiment served as infantry in Northern Ireland from March - July 1972. In September 1976 the 2nd Division was re-organized as the new 2nd Armoured Division, and the regiment was broken up for the second time. In January 1983 at Osnabruck the regiment reformed and part of the regiment, 73 Field and 39 Field Support Squadrons, participated in the Gulf War. The regiment was later disbanded in 1992 as a result of the Options for Change.[4] In 2001, 23 Engineer Regiment was tasked to provide engineer support to the newly formed 16 Air Assault Brigade. The regiment was deployed for Operation Herrick and in September 2009 on their return from Afghanistan the regiment was granted the Freedom of the town of Woodbridge.[5][6] In 2015, the "Parachute" title was officially added to the name, although the unit had already been supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade since its re-establishment, and a new flag was presented to the regiment to mark the occasion.[7][8]
Organization[]
- 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment[9]
- 12 Parachute HQ & Support Squadron
- 9 Parachute Squadron
- 51 Parachute Squadron
- 299 Parachute Squadron (Army Reserve), in Wakefield, Hull and Gateshead[10]
References[]
- ↑ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616.
- ↑ "Royal Engineers commander working in Helmand praises unit's hometown for support". Ministry of Defence. 28 January 2011. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-engineers-commander-working-in-helmand-praises-units-hometown-for-support.
- ↑ "23 Engr Regt (Air Assault)". Ministry of Defence. http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/28644.aspx.
- ↑ The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889—2018. pp. 222–223.
- ↑ "Freedom of the Town of Woodbridge to the 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault)". One Suffolk. http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/News+Service/FreedomoftheTownofWoodbridge.htm.[dead link]
- ↑ "23 Engineer Regiment exercises freedom of Woodbridge". BBC. 8 June 2013. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-22819062.
- ↑ "23 Parachute Engineer Regiment Celebrate New Name". Forces TV. 16 June 2015. http://forces.tv/27741025.
- ↑ The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889—2018. pp. 269.
- ↑ "Royal Engineers Units". British Army. https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/6848.
- ↑ "299 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers". http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/28734.aspx.
External links[]
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The original article can be found at 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment and the edit history here.