Special Forces Support Group The Special Forces Support Group or SFSG is a special operations unit of the British Armed Forces . The SFSG is the newest addition to the United Kingdom Special Forces . It was formed officially on 3 April 2006 to support the Special Air Service , the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Boat Service on operations . This could include diversionary tactics , protective cordons and extra firepower . The SFSG was initially composed of personnel from the British Army ' s Parachute Regiment , the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment , but is now open to all personnel in the United Kingdom ' s Armed Forces that have passed either P company run by the Parachute Regiment or the Royal Marines Commando Course . History . The unit ' s creation stems from the need to provide infantry support to the United Kingdom Special Forces , which became evident after the Battle of Tora Bora during which two Special Air Service ( SAS ) squadrons assaulted the al - Qaeda cave complex . Previously , this support was carried out on an ad hoc basis , with infantry units assisting special forces teams when needed . During Operation Barras in Sierra Leone , soldiers from 1st Battalion , The Parachute Regiment were deployed alongside troops from the Special Boat Service ( SBS ) and D Squadron SAS . This was successful , as the SAS soldiers attacked the encampment containing the hostages while the soldiers from The Parachute Regiment attacked a second encampment . In December 2004 , it was announced that a unit would be formalised for this role as part of the wider future army structure . It was initially conceived as a battalion of " Rangers " , similar to the United States Army Rangers . The SFSG ' s formation was announced officially by the then Secretary of State for Defence John Reid in Parliament on 20 April 2006 . Following the announcement , it was reported that a company of SFSG soldiers was operating in Iraq as part of the US - led Task Force 145 . As of late 2008 SFSG personnel have received two Military Cross es , one Queen ' s Commendation for Valuable Service , two Mentions in Despatches and 12 Joint Commander ' s Commendations . In August 2009 , three soldiers from the SFSG were killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol near Lashkar Gar , Southern Afghanistan . A fourth soldier from the same patrol was injured in the explosion . In December 2009 , an SFSG soldier was killed as a result of a suspected improvised explosive device in Sangin , Afghanistan . Under Army 2020 , it is expected that 1 PARA will remain as part of the SFSG . Formation and selection . The Ministry of Defence does not comment on special forces matters , therefore little verifiable information exists in the public domain . The SFSG was established to support UKSF units in battle overseas and on domestic counter - terrorist operations . For this , it may encompass such roles as providing diversionary attacks , cordons , fire support , force protection , and supporting training tasks . Most unit personnel are Parachute Regiment soldiers , Royal Marine Commandos or RAF Regiment gunners . All those selected for the SFSG have passed either the Pre - Parachute selection course run by The Parachute Regiment , the Royal Marines Commando course or the RAF Pre - Parachute selection course . Army personnel can apply to join straight from the Pre - Parachute selection course irrespective of regimental affiliation ; prospective recruits from the Royal Marines undergo a selection process run by the 43 Commando Royal Marines . Members continue to wear their own cap badge . In addition , they wear a new shoulder emblem that depicts a silver dagger on a green background , with a red - lined black flash of lightning running through it . Organisation . The SFSG follows the general structure of an infantry battalion ; it comprises an HQ company , four rifle companies ( referred to as " strike " companies and designated A , B , C and F ) and a support company . The SFSG is mainly drawn from 1st Battalion , The Parachute Regiment . The Royal Marines mainly form F Company which specializes in supporting amphibious operations . The RAF Regiment also provide a platoon in one of these companies and Forward Air Controller s to direct close air support . The Support company comprises mortar , sniper and patrol platoons . The Patrol platoon operates vehicles including the Jackal and includes Fire Support Groups which include Parachute Regiment , Royal Artillery and RAF Regiment personnel . There is also a CBRN unit assigned to the SFSG to provide specialised knowledge and capability to military and civilian agencies in detection and handling of chemical , biological and radiological / nuclear weapons and materials . It is based at MOD St Athan near Cardiff , south Wales . News reports of its strength have varied between 450 - 1 , 200 personnel .