Used extensively by the SAS and SBS, the technique is being taught to the Pathfinders of the newly formed 5th Airborne Brigade.” There is record of Pathfinders in 1958 at Amman Airfield, Jordan, with 3 Para (Ferguson, 1984, p.36) also accompanying a picture Ferguson (1984, p.39) states: “Detail of the parachute, reserve, and altimeter used by HALO (‘high altitude, low opening’) jumpers. The Pathfinder Platoon, in its current form, was formally established in 1985 with personnel drawn initially from the Patrols platoon of each of the three Parachute Battalions (David Blakely (a former Pathfinder) in his 2013 book simply states that the Pathfinders formed in the 1980s). The primary role of the platoon was battlefield preparation, identification and marking of airborne insertion points (Parachute Drop Zone’s and Landing Zone’s) and carry out reconnaissance tasks on pre-designated targets prior to the delivery of the main body. In 1999, 5 Airborne Brigade merged with 24 Air Mobile Brigade to form 16 Air Assault Brigade with the Platoon remaining attached to the Brigade Headquarters (HQ). The brigade was formed from the Parachute Regiment, and associated airborne support assets. The Brigade Commander identified a requirement for an independent intelligence collection capability, deployable into a hostile or non-permissive environment ahead of the main force. During World War II, the company saw their fair share of action including Sicily and Italy.įollowing the 1982 Falklands War (Operation Corporate) 5 Airborne Brigade was established as a light, rapid reaction force for similar requirements. ![]() The operational role of the Pathfinders was to arrive at the drop zones half an hour in advance of the main body of airborne troops in order to set up beacons to pin point the dropping area for the advancing aircraft, to clear any obstacles from the zone that would impede the gliders, and also to lightly secure the immediate area from enemy interference. The concept of pathfinding had been pioneered by Major John Lander who set about raising a company of handpicked volunteers drawn from the Parachute Regiment. In 1942, the 21 st Independent Parachute Company was formed with the task of ‘pathfinding’ around war torn Europe and was a unique concept at this point in time. The pathfinder teams of the day were made up of a group of eight to twelve pathfinders and a group of six bodyguards whose job was to defend the pathfinders while they set up their equipment. 1.1 Backgroundĭuring World War II, the Pathfinders were a group of volunteers selected within the airborne units who were specially trained to operate navigation aids to guide the main airborne body to the drop zones. Indeed, a stint in the pathfinders is often a good grounding for those wishing to serve in the UKSF. Pathfinders act as the Brigade commander’s eyes and ears typically operating ahead of the Brigade’s front line, often deep behind enemy lines, where they perform advance force reconnaissance operations and mark out drop zones (DZ) and helicopter landing sites (HLS) for use by Brigade forces.Īlthough not technically a Special Forces unit, the levels of discipline and skills required of Pathfinders are close to, if not entirely comparable to, the United Kingdom’s Special Forces (UKSF). The Pathfinder Platoon is a reconnaissance unit within the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade.
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