British Forces Germany

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British Forces Germany (BFG) is the name for British service personnel and civilians based in Germany.^[1] Disbandment of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) and Royal Air Force Germany (RAFG) following the end of the Cold War reduced the personnel strength of the British Armed Forces in Germany by almost 30,000.^[2] The BFG is concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

Once consisting of I (BR) Corps and three divisions, the BFG is a considerably reduced entity since the Options for Change defence review in the early 1990s, although it is still the major concentration of UK armed forces permanently stationed outside the UK.^[3] Since the 1990s, the British presence has centred around the 1st Armoured Division, its three brigades, and supporting elements.^[1] The divisional HQ is located at Herford, near Bielefeld, with garrisons at Gütersloh, Hohne, and Paderborn.^[4] A further garrison at Osnabrück was closed in 2009. Additionally, the Rhine Garrison area contains Rheindahlen Military Complex and HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.^[1][5]

Administrative support for British service personnel in Germany and across Continental Europe is delegated to United Kingdom Support Command. The four Army garrisons in Germany are under the direct administrative control of UKSC.^[1] The General Officer Commanding UKSC also functions as head of the British Forces Liaison Organisation (Germany), which is responsible for liaising and maintaining relations with German civil authorities.^[6]

Approximately 56,000 people are associated with British Forces Germany, with only about 23,000 in the army, itself, and about 2,200 civilians posted in Germany. The 1st Armoured Division is currently equipped with Challenger 2 MBTs, Warrior IFVs, AS-90 Braveheart howitzers, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, armoured personnel carriers, Gazelle and Lynx helicopters.^[1]

During the height of "the Troubles" in Northern Ireland, the IRA targeted personnel in Germany between 1988 and 1990. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 9 people, including three civilians, and many wounded.

According to the BBC, the BFG presence contributes 1.5 billion Euros annually to the German economy.

Major Units as of 2009

7th Armoured Brigade

• 2nd Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps
• 207th Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals
• The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) (Armoured)
• 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment (light role)
• The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Armoured Infantry)
• 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Armoured)
• 32nd Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers
• 2nd Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• 111th Company, Royal Military Police

20th Armoured Brigade

• 200th Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals
• 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (Formation Reconnaissance)
• The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) (Armoured)
• 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) (Armoured Infantry)
• 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) (Light Role)
• 5th Battalion, The Rifles (Armoured Infantry)
• 26th Regiment, Royal Artillery
• 35th Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers
• 3rd Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• 110th Company, Royal Military Police
• 1st Medical Regiment (based in Münster)

1st (UK) Armoured Division - Divisional Units

• 1st Regiment, Army Air Corps (Lynx)
• 12th Regiment, Royal Artillery (Air Defence)
• 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Formation Reconnaissance)
• 1st Logistic Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
• 2nd Logistic Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
• 1st Regiment, Royal Military Police
• 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Signal Regiment

102nd Logistics Brigade

• 262 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals
• 6th Supply Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
• 7th Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
• 8th Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
• 5th General Support Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps, located in Preston, UK.
• 5th Regiment, Royal Military Police
• 102nd Military Working Dog Support Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corps

References

External links

• BBC News: Army to scale down Germany troops, 2006-07-24
• BBC News: From occupiers and protectors to guests, 2004-07-20
• Official British Army site - Germany
• British Forces Germany website
• BAOR Locations