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The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) is a Special Forces Regiment of the British Army, specializing in Counter-Terrorist surveillance. It became operational on 6 April 2005, and forms part of the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) alongside the Special air Service (SAS) and Special Boat service (SBS).
Based in Hereford, the SRR is a British Army unit involved in surveillance operations, particularly against those suspected of engaging in terrorism and other threats to national security and stability. This is the newest Special Forces Regiment in the British Army, created by then Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon. Announced in 2004, it was formed in response to a need for greater 'force against terrorism'. Unlike some other areas of the British Army, it recruits members of both genders. Its cap badge consists of the sword seen in the SAS and SBS badges, point up, behind a Corinthian helmet and a scroll inscribed RECONNAISSANCE.
Few details are publicly available, but it is believed that the unit is less than half the size of the SAS, and that it is in effect the latest incarnation of 14 Intelligence Company (a.k.a. the Joint Communications Unit (Northern Ireland) (JCU(NI)) that has performed a similar role against Irish Republican and Loyalist terrorism in Northern Ireland since the 1970s. The Regiment's primary purpose is to free the SAS and SBS from surveillance duties and allow them to engage in the "hard end" of missions. |
