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The Parachute Regiment

The Parachute Regiment was formed in 1942 on the direction of Winston Churchill. The Parachute Regiment is the Airbourne Infantry element of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Training and selection (Pre Parachute 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 such times as they were relieved. The Regiment consists of the following Battalions:

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 and included in the 3 Para ORBAT is The Guards Parachute Platoon which is manned by volunteers from the 5 Regiments of Foot Guards. 4Para provide the Territorial reserve battalion and support to the Regular Battalions on operations.

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