5 Airborne Brigade forms part of the 3 (UK) Division, and is one of two core brigades of the Joint Rapid Deployment Force (JRDF).

5 Airborne Brigade is charged with two operational roles. The priority role to respond ACE-wide on military operations in support of SACEUR's crisis management options as part of 3(UK) Division within ARRC. The priority two role is to respond to any unforeseen National Contingency Operation, probably as part of the JRDF.

Under the terms of the JRDF, 5 Airborne Brigade maintains a number of all-arms components at readiness to deploy for operations. Alternating the commitment with 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, 5 Airborne Brigade maintains leading elements known currently as the Spearhead, on between 24 and 72 hrs notice to move. The Spearhead provides the United Kingdom with the capacity to deploy a unit-sized reaction force anywhere in the world at short notice.

The first RAF Regiment Parachute Sqn was formed during operations against the Japanese in South East Asia and Regiment Sqns were soon involved in the heavy fighting on the Imphal plain in 1944 as part of the "forgotten" army. Since the war, the Regiment has been involved in a number of operations in many parts of the world, wherever there are RAF airfields . Installations or elements of the RAF to defend number among these - Palestine, Suez, Kenya, Malaya, Borneo, Aden, Oman, N. Ireland, The Falklands and more recently the Gulf War. Elements of the regiment are also involved in the Kosovan and Bosnian theatres of operations.

AIM OF THE GROUP:

The reenactment group aims to promote, through physical presence and displays, the role that 5 Airborne Brigade & II Sqn RAF Regiment Military had in the 1980s and 1990s. This is achieved by putting people and equipment on display at military shows throughout the United Kingdom and Europe to try to give a true representation and feel of the units involved.