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The Parachute Regiment

The army’s Parachute Regiment (sometimes referred to as paratroop regiment) was formed in 1942 on the direction of Winston Churchill.

The army’s parachute regiment has had a rich history since its formation in 1942 and shared a great deal of involvement in some of the biggest conflicts in modern warfare: several campaigns in WW2 such as Arnhem, crossing the Rhine, the invasion of Sicily, North Africa, D-Day, The Far East; then Palestine, Suez, Kuwait; and Northern Ireland, The Falklands war, and many more up to the present day.

The Army’s Parachute Regiment

The Parachute Regiment is the Airbourne Infantry element of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Training and selection (Pre Para Selection Course [P Company]) is rigorous and exacting as befits the requirement of such an elite Regiment. On airborne operations the Regiment would operate with minimal or no support behind enemy lines and against numerically superior forces until they were relieved. The Regiment consists of the following army Battalions:

Paratroopers are an elite regiment

Regular Battalions 1st Bn The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA)
2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA)
3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA)

Territorial Army Battalion 4th Bn The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA)

1 Para is permanently attached to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) and included in the 3 Para ORBAT is The Guards Parachute Platoon which is manned by volunteers from the 5 Regiments of Foot Guards. 4 Para provide the Territorial reserve battalion and support to the Regular Battalions on operations.

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