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b. The UK Joint Airborne Task Force
This task force currently consists of a headquarters,
a parachute force (including two battalions) and
Hercules air transport. The commitment to air drop
the parachute force, is to be abandoned; but the Parachute
Regiment will be retained and deployed to other roles.
C. The United Kingdom Mobile Force.
At present
this force consists of a land element of three air-
portable brigades with divisional troops and logistic
support; and an air element of three squadrons of
Phantom offensive and reconnaissance aircraft
(which are being replaced by Jaguars), one squadron of
Andover short-range transports and three squadrons of
support helicopters. This is to be reduced by 1979
to an airportable formation equivalent
to one
a limited
of support,
of the existing brigade groups, but with
parachute capability, an improved level
and the same air element, less
the Andovers. This smaller force will be
provided for deployment to the Central and Northern
Regions of NATO. The residual land elements of the
forces will be disbanded or re-absorbed within the new
Army structure described in paragraphs 47 to 53 below.
These plans are set out in more detail in the table/opposite/ (fig. 4).
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