SFSG Base To Expand

25.07.2011

Proposals to expand military options at MoD St Athan, the home of the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) have been announced. Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced on July 18th. It is understood that the result will be the creation of a "major centre for excellence for special forces" at St Athan. St Athan's local MP, Alun Cairns, said that "St Athans will be seen in the same light as Hereford is to the SAS."

MoD St Athan (formerly RAF St Athan) is a large Ministry of Defence unit close to the village of St Athan in the Vale Of Glamorgan, Southern Wales. Aside from the SFSG, the base is also home to a number of other units, including 2300 Squadron Air Training Corps, 634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron and No 4 School of Technical Training RAF.

Since its inception in April 2006, the SFSG has supported SAS/SBS operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It's role is to carry out diversionary / secondary attacks and provide secure perimeters for SAS/SBS operations. The unit has also trained foreign military forces in Afghanistan.

further reading / more info:

• Plans to expand Special Forces presence at MoD St Athan
  (barry & district news)
  
  
• Exciting plans for St Athan
  (aluncairns.co.uk)
  
  
• MOD St Athan
  (wikipedia)
  
  

SFSG soldiers pictured in front of a Chinook helicopter. The Special Forces Support Group has served with distinction in both Iraq and Afghanistan. It is comprised of the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment, a company-sized element from the Royal Marines and a further element sourced from the RAF Regiment.

more SFSG photos

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