They were in Kabul in later 2001 then spearheaded the British deployment into Helmand Province in 2006. The Pathfinder Platoon has carried out a number of tours in Afghansitan. More info: Parachute Regiment / Pathfinder Operations in Sierra Leoneĭuring Operation Telic the Pathfinders drove into Southern Iraq on WMIK Land Rovers and carried out reconnaissance and offensive operations ahead of the main invasion force. Fortunately the platoon was able to bring their GPMGs to bear during the contact and no British lives were lost. In at least one contact, many of the Pathfinders were unable to release the safety catch on their SA80s, due to the extreme heat (1). It was during the Pathfinder's engagements in Sierra Leone that shortcomings with the SA80a1 assault rifles - which were the standard rifle of the British Army - came to a head.

Pathfinder Operationsĭuring Operation Palliser the Pathfinder Platoon engaged RUF troops at Lungi Loi, in which several enemy soldiers were killed. Pathfinders qualify as High Altitude Parachutists by completing a HALO/HAHO training course (Military Free Fall Course). Those who successfully complete Pathfinder selection move on to in-depth training in weapons, radios and other patrol skills. Selection culminates with the candidates being 'captured' and put through mock interrogations in order to test their resistance to questioning. Week 5: Final Exercise - in which the candidates, working in 4-6-man teams, plan and execute typical reconnaissance missions.Candidates also receive a grounding in demolitions. This live firing phase takes place on Sennybridge Training Area (SENTA) and focuses on contact drills, including man-down drills. Candidates get a grounding in PF Platoon Standard Operating Procedures such as basic patrol skills and the construction of concealed observation posts (OPs). This phase features 4 DS-led cross-country marches across the Brecon Beacons and 4 test marches, culminating in Endurance, a 40 miler. Candidates complete 2 x 8 mile speed marches, a 10 mile speed march and a 2 miler. The Pathfinder selection course consists of : It covers much of the same ground as UKSF selection, (literally - many of the marches take place on the Brecon Beacons), although condensed into a shorter time scale (5 weeks). The Pathfinder Platoon's Selection Cadre is one of the most arduous in the world.

Used under open government licence Pathfinder Platoon Selection Photo by Corporal Obi Igbo © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2013 On operations, the Pathfinder Group may include attachments from other brigade elements such as the Royal Engineers or Light Electronic Warfare Teams so as to carry out specialized reconnaissance. Indeed, a stint in the pathfinders is often a good grounding for those wishing to serve in the Special Air Service. Although not technically a special forces unit, the levels of discipline and skills required of Pathfinders are close to, if not entirely comparable to, SF. Many of the unit's ranks come from the Parachute Regiment and from other units within 16 Air Assault Brigade. The Pathfinder Platoon is around 60-men strong. They use a range of parachute systems, including the BT80 multi-mission parachute combined with the High Altitude Parachutist Life Support System, which provides oxygen when jumping at high altitude. Pathfinders are highly skilled in insertion by parachute, including HALO and HAHO techniques.

A typical Pathfinder mounted patrol comprises of 2 vehicles with 3 men on each. They may also patrol in vehicles, usually heavily armed WMIK Land Rovers, Pinzgauers or more recently, MWMIK Jackals. Pathfinder foot patrols may be parachuted or helicoptered into position. A patrol will include individuals qualified as medic, sniper and signaller. The men of the pathfinder platoon are skilled in covert insertion, concealment and intelligence gathering. Pathfinders may be inserted up to a week ahead of the main force, usually in small (4-6-man) teams. Pathfinder Platoon WMIKs deployed during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

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