| Special Reconnaissance Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1972–2005 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Military Intelligence |
| Role | Clandestine operation Close-quarters combat Counterinsurgency Covert operation HUMINT Special operations Special reconnaissance Urban warfare |
| Part of | United Kingdom Special Forces[1] |
| Headquarters | RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland |
| Engagements | Operation Banner (The Troubles) |
The Special Reconnaissance Unit, also known as the 14 Field Security and Intelligence Company, was a unit of the British Army's Intelligence Corps which conducted covert operations in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. It conducted undercover surveillance operations against suspected members of Irish republican and Ulster loyalist paramilitary groups. Members of the unit were recruited from regular Army battalions and trained in an eight-week course by the Special Air Service (SAS). The unit, then numbering 120 men, was deployed to Northern Ireland in November 1972.[2][3] Their responsibilities included intelligence gathering and assessment and tracking down and neutralising suspected paramilitaries. Allegations of collusion with loyalist paramilitaries were made against the unit. In 1987, the unit became part of the newly formed United Kingdom Special Forces directorate, and formed the core of the new Special Reconnaissance Regiment in 2005..[1][4]
- ^ a b Urban, Mark (1992). Big Boys' Rules: The SAS and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 9780571161126.
- ^ David A. Charters, Counter-insurgency Intelligence: The Evolution of British Theory and Practice, The Journal of Conflict Studies, Volume 29 (2009).
- ^ Dr Huw Bennett, The reluctant pupil? Britain’s army and learning in counterinsurgency, Royal United Services Institute, 11 October 2009.
- ^ "14 Company - 'The Det'". eliteUKforces.info. Retrieved 3 December 2017.