2 PARA Sniper Platoon

A Paratrooper with 2 PARA's Sniper Platoon provides cover during an operation in Upper Sangin Valley, Afghanistan, 2008. The sniper platoon is an element of either Command Company (2 PARA) or D (Patrols Company) (3 PARA) and can field 2 sections of 4 x2-man sniper pairs. A typical sniper pair consists of a sniper, armed with a L115A3 long range rifle, and a spotter. Snipers may attach to the battalion's Rifle Companies when on operations. The sniper's role is to engage targets and to carry out ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance).