1.0 Introduction
14 Intelligence Company, also known as the “Det,” was an elite surveillance unit created to support counterterrorism operations in Northern Ireland. The unit replaced the controversial Military Reaction Force (MRF) and served as a prototype for the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR).
Trained by the Special Air Service (SAS), Special Boat Service (SBS), and Intelligence Corps, 14 Int operators were highly proficient in covert surveillance, close-target reconnaissance, close-quarters combat, advanced driving and more. 14 Int also had male and female operators working side by side in the field.
2.0 The Army’s need for a covert surveillance capability
2.1 Context
The British Army deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969. During the Troubles they found themselves confronted by a domestic insurgent terrorist campaign and sectarian violence among the population. The Army’s mission was to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in their counter-terrorism campaign against the Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries, as well as suppress civil unrest (Source).
The conventional threat posed by the Cold War and Warsaw Pact occupied the attention of the Armed Forces and Intelligence Services. The RUC, Northern Ireland’s police force, were to take the lead in the campaign against the violence.
Well organised and operating among the civilian population, paramilitaries presented a dangerous threat to the UK/ This and the highly sensitive cultural nature of the Troubles made the need for an armed covert surveillance capability clear (Source).
2.2 The Army’s duty to create the capability
The RUC lacked the knowledge and resources to create such a unit. The Intelligence Services in the UK did not possess advanced armed combat capabilities like the US’ CIA or the Soviet Union’s KGB. While the agencies possessed the surveillance capability and some small arms training, the danger posed by the paramilitary threat required the support of UKSF (Source).
The responsibility fell to the British Army to draw upon the covert experience gained by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in World War II and Special Air Service (SAS). Along with recent counterinsurgency campaigns such as the Malayan Emergency and Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (Source). Despite covert units and surveillance having been key parts of many previous British Army operations, there was no dedicated unit for such tasks.
3.0 Predecessors
3.1 The Bomb Squad
Brigadier Frank Edward Kitson served in two successful colonial counter-insurgency campaigns, the Malayan Emergency and Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya. He developed a theory called “Gangs and Counter-gangs”.
Essentially, this theory saw security forces fighting guerilla insurgencies with their own guerilla tactics. This meant using undercover operators and infiltrating the enemy forces to gather intelligence. That intelligence would then be used to assassinate members of the insurgency using tactics such as ambushes (Source).
The first iteration of counter-gangs in Northern Ireland would be “The Bomb Squad” in July of 1971 under the command of Kitson, as part of 39 Airportable Brigade (Source). Its purpose was to:
- Collect;
- develop;
- act upon;
intelligence relating to terrorist bombing activity.
Bombings were a prominent tactic among Northern Irish paramilitaries. Bomb Squad members would operate in civilian clothes and vehicles, carrying out their covert activities.
RUC Special Branch and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) members embedded with the unit until resource constraints related to internment led to their withdrawal (Source).
3.2 The Military Reaction Force (MRF)
The Bomb Squad reorganised in August of 1971 and renamed to the “Military Reaction Force” (MRF). The MRF mission was to:
- Conduct surveillance on wanted men, suspects’ homes and establishments, as well as suspected bombing targets
- Protect local buses to prevent and catch hijackers
- Provide covert protection of specific individuals
- Arrest suspects in areas where overt military presence could be inflammatory
Key issues with the MRF are as follows:
- The unit was allegedly involved in extrajudicial, kidnappings, torture and murder
- Unarmed civilians were among those killed.
- At least one operator used a weapon common among paramilitaries, which would affect investigations into killings
- The unit only coordinated with Kitson’s Brigade HQ
- It had no adequate oversight from the Army, Intelligence Services or RUC
- The MRF operated with insufficient intelligence from RUC Special Branch or MI5
- The only oversight came from the Military Police who would rewrite statements in an attempt to make them appear legal
- Regular soldiers chosen from battalions deployed to Northern Ireland made up the MRF. With very little specialised training
- The small amount of existing training was done “on the job”
- The unit had no operational procedures
- Operators would often openly talk about their experiences serving in the unit
A BBC Panorama investigation found the unit was linked to 10 shootings of unarmed civilians.
The Four Square Laundry attack by PIRA on a compromised MRF intelligence-gathering operation led to the deaths of one operator and the injury of another. This incident led to scrutiny and eventual disbandment of the unit (Source).
Read more about the Military Reaction Force (MRF) here.
3.3 Special Air Service (SAS) B Squadron
3.3.1 The Required Expertise
The British Army had no specialised covert surveillance capability after the MRF disbanded in 1973. The Special Air Service (SAS) were the only unit that had the required expertise.
The government’s position at the time was that if news of SAS deployment got out, it could be perceived as a win for the IRA in the information space. The UK government could be seen as conceding the seriousness of the threat that the IRA posed, instead of the preferred narrative, portraying the group as criminals (Source).
Instead of the preferred narrative of framing paramilitaries as simple criminals, the
Half of 22 SAS’s B Squadron were chosen to close the surveillance gap in Northern Ireland. B Squadron had previously been participating in a counter-insurgency campaign in Oman since 1971, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of Mirbat (Source).
3.3.2 “Debadged” Operators
As a result of Cabinet’s concern over the perception of SAS deployment, operators were “debadged” or returned to their original units. This was done in order to help portray the situation as under control in the media and against Parliamentary scrutiny.
This also meant that these deployed operators were technically not UK Special Forces (UKSF) members, supporting deniability. If operators were killed in action, their names would not appear on the SAS roll of honour and their service in the SAS would be denied. This and the nature of combat in the Troubles made the deployment highly undesirable among B Squadron. The SAS operations in this period were informed by RUC Special Branch and MI5 (Source).
3.3.3 SAS Training of 14 Intelligence Company and Further Involvement in the Troubles
The other half of B Squadron was tasked with developing the selection and training of what would become 14 Intelligence Company (Source).
After 14 Intelligence Company became operational, they took over from the SAS. This was not the last SAS deployment to Northern Ireland. After the Kingsmill Massacre in 1976, the government believed they had the mandate to respond with force (Source).
The government was no longer concerned about the perception of SAS involvement in the Troubles and deployed the special forces unit (Source). The SAS would go on to work alongside 14 Intelligence Company during operations.
Read more about the Special Air Service (SAS) here.
3.4 14 Intelligence Company
After the disastrous initial attempt by the MRF, it was clear that any future iteration of a covert surveillance unit needed to be highly professional and accountable. B Squadron was tasked with creating this disciplined force. 14 Intelligence Company’s main objective was to gather intelligence about paramilitary-associated individuals and activities.
They operated within the law, being subjected to the Yellow Card rules of engagement. If operators did open fire, their actions would be scrutinised, and they would likely have to appear in court. Operators could also only break into homes to conduct surveillance once the appropriate warrant had been provided by the RUC (Source).
4.0 Organisation
4.1 The many names of 14 Intelligence Company
As a counterintelligence measure and as part of the process of formalising such a unit, 14 Intelligence Company took on a number of names (Source). Formed in early 1973, the unit was initially called the Special Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS). However, officials feared the acronym was too similar to SAS and may raise suspicion. The name was instead changed to Special Reconnaissance Unit (SRU) (Source).
The unit was referred to as Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Teams (Northern Ireland) [NITAT NI] in theatre. Using the cover of the actual NITAT unit, whose duty was to train British troops for deployment to the region. This was likely a tactic to obscure the activities of the unit (Source).
In the late 1970s, as the cover of NITAT NI began to wear thin, the unit was renamed Intelligence and Security Group. In the 1980’s this became 14 Intelligence and Security Company, and eventually 14 Intelligence Company (Source).
Seán Hartnett’s book, Charlie One, recounts his experience of joining the unit in 2001. In the book the unit had been renamed at some point to Joint Communications Unit Northern Ireland (JCU-NI) (Source).
Detachments on operations would use cover names that were related to their assigned base. For example, 3 Brigade Detachment was referred to as 4 Field Survey Troop (Source). Which was associated with the Royal Engineers.
4.2.1 Other Pseudonyms
14 Intelligence Company would go on to be referred to by other pseudonyms, including:
- 14 Int
- 14 Company
- 14th Intelligence Detachment
- The Det
- Int & Sy Group
“The Det” would go on to be one of the most popular pseudonyms. Short for “The Detachment” (Source).
4.2 Insignia and Semiotics
14 Intelligence Company’s insignia depicts a peacock and a scroll that reads “Argus”. This is in reference to the figure in Greek mythology called Argus or Argus Panoptes. Whose name in ancient Greek is translated as “All-seeing Argus”. He was a giant with one hundred eyes. He had so many eyes that few would sleep at once, making him constantly alert. After Argus was slain by Hermes, his eyes were transferred to a peacock’s tail feathers (Source) (Source).
In the background, the colours orange and green are featured. Orange is associated with Loyalist movements (Source) and green with Republican movements (Source). Going diagonally across, in between the two are three stripes referencing the tri-service (British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force). The same colours can be found on the Ministry of Defence flag. This is likely a reference to the fact that 14 Intelligence Company recruited from all three branches of the armed forces (Source). It could also be interpreted as a representation of the armed forces keeping either side from sectarian violence.
The insignia and its accompanying mythology appear to have been designed to emphasise the unit’s focus on surveillance activities and impartiality in the conflict.
4.3 Structure
4.3.1 Detachments
14 Intelligence Company had about a standard infantry company’s number of operators (about 100-150).
14 Intelligence Company was split into 3 detachments, each assigned to an Army brigade responsible for security in that province. The detachments were as follows:
- London Derry / Derry
- Mid Ulster
- Belfast
The Belfast detachment was supported by the creation of a second detachment, called 9 Det from the late 1980s.
4.3.2 Mission Roles
14 Intelligence Company would structure teams as follows, depending on the scale of the mission:
- Operation Commander
- Ops Officer
- Drop Off Drivers
- Entry Team
- Lookouts
- Fast Response Vehicles
The operation commander would be in charge of planning the mission and briefing all the operators involved.
The Ops Officer would monitor the operation over the radio or “the net”.
Lookouts may cause distractions if necessary to keep attention away from the entry team.
4.3.3 Support Staff
Support staff for 14 Intelligence Company included hand-picked soldiers from the Royal Corps of Signals. Their services supported the technical aspects of surveillance conducted by the Det. Their duties included maintaining surveillance equipment, often in hostile areas. Signallers were trained in close-quarters battle (CQB) and covert operational procedures to an intermediate level.
Military Intelligence Liaison Officers (MLOs) are another part of Det’s support staff. MLOs attend briefings from RUC Special Branch and MI5 that would inform major operations. MLOs are trained in CQB and covert operational procedures to the same level as Signallers.
Support staff in the 14 Intelligence Company’s regional operations centres include mechanics, armourers, and chefs.
4.3.4 Command
14 Intelligence Company was commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, similar to 22 SAS, under the British Army Intelligence Corps (Source).
5.0 Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Training & Induction
The 14 Intelligence Company joining process consisted of three stages:
- Selection (2 Weeks)
- Specialised Training (6 Months)
- Detachment Induction (3 Weeks)
5.1 Eligibility
To be eligible to join 14 Intelligence Company, candidates must:
- Be a serving member of one of the three Armed Forces branches
- Have no identifiable markings such as tattoos, birthmarks or scars
A high fitness level was recommended, and unmarried candidates were preferred (Source).
Both men and women were eligible to serve in 14 Intelligence Company. This was not the case for special forces such as the SAS until 2018 (Source). Women are often perceived as less suspicious than men. Male and female operators would often conduct missions together posing as couples (Source) (Source).
The selection process would remove the majority of candidates quickly. It was likely due to the immediate requirement of such a unit that recruitment was opened to every branch to find the rare suitable individuals.
5.2 Recruitment
One of the ways recruitment was advertised to potential recruits was through company notice boards. One of the adverts reads as follows:
“From time to time there is a requirement for men and women to volunteer to undertake special duties of a hazardous nature in Northern Ireland. The selection and training for special duties are both rigorous and arduous.” (Source).
Rumours about the unit also spread throughout the Armed Forces via word of mouth.
Individuals who expressed interest in the unit were summoned to participate in a 1 day programme of:
- Physical Training
- An Interview
- IQ Tests
After successfully passing this programme, applicants would receive a letter from the Ministry of Defence inviting them to participate in a 2 week selection course, along with instructions about where it would take place and what items they should bring with them (Source).
5.3 Selection
“Det” selection was inspired by processes used by the Special Air Service (SAS) and the covert Special Operations Executive (SOE) of World War II (Source). Selection was to be kept secret to make sure candidates were unprepared for what lay ahead, helping filter out anyone who was not appropriately suited to what the “Det” required of them (Source).
Tasks and techniques used to whittle down the number of candidates were:
- Loaded Marches
- Intellectual Tasks
- Memory Retention Exercises
- Navigation Exercises
- Sleep Deprivation
- Erratic Schedules
- Beastings
- Milling
Physical Training (PT) was often endurance-based. On some occasions candidates would be required to complete an intellectual task right after a PT session.
Other Techniques such as not letting candidates know what time it was were also used as a form of sensory deprivation.
(Source) (Source) (Source)
5.4 Directing Staff
The Directing Staff (DS) on the selection course were initially SAS before 14 Intelligence Company was up and running. SBS may also serve as DS on occasion (Source). After the unit was operational, 14 Intelligence Company operators would take on the role DS (Source). In Jackie George’s book, she recounts that DS wore the berets of their original units (Source). She recounts seeing DS from:
- Parachute Regiment
- Guards
- Royal Navy
- Royal Marines
Longer serving 14 Intelligence Company operators may alternate between deployment in Northern Ireland and serving as DS on the mainland (Source).
6.0 Collaborating with other organisations
6.1 Tasking and Coordination Groups
In 1979, following a significant review of covert operating procedures by a senior member of the Secret Intelligence Service, Tasking and Coordination Groups (TCGs) were introduced. TCGs were designed to be a single coordinating command structure for undercover operations in Northern Ireland. TCGs were mostly made up of liaison officers from the Army and RUC with operational experience. With additional support from liaison officers of MI5 and SIS. 14 Intelligence Company was incorporated into this wider undercover intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism effort (Source).
There were 3 TCGs:
- Belfast
- North
- South
The result of the TCG reorganisation effort for 14 Intelligence Company was better intelligence and closer cooperation with the Special Air Service (Source).
6.2 Joint Planning Committee (“The Oldfield System”)
To support coordination of RUC-Army operations on the lower divisional and battalion level a system was set up under the guidance of Maurice Oldfield, a former director of SIS. These structures were called the “Joint Planning Committee”. Unofficially often being referred to as “The Oldfield System” (Source).
The Joint Planning Committee allegedly was composed of:
- RUC Special Branch
- RUC Special Patrol Group (SPG) Bronze Section
- SAS
- 14 Intelligence Company
- MI5
- SIS
RUC SPG Bronze Section was the precursor to Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU). After the Special Branch reorganisation in 1980, HMSU likely took SPG Bronze Section’s place.
The Force Research Unit (FRU) was likely added to the Joint Planning Committee after its formation in 1982 (Source).
6.3 United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF)
14 Intelligence Company worked closely with UKSF outside of selection and training. In the late 1980s-early and 1990s, a small number of Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) operators would be rotated in and out of the “Det” on 2 year postings. This included a 6 month 14 Intelligence Company training course and an 18 month deployment to Northern Ireland (Source) (Source) (Source). The SAS also provided separate strike teams capable of arresting or neutralising enemy combatants in the resolution phase of operations. 14 Intelligence Company would provide the required intelligence through surveillance beforehand (Source). An example of this is 14 Intelligence Company’s reported presence in Gibraltar during Operation Flavius (Source).
6.4 Force Research Unit (FRU)
The Force Research Unit (FRU) was formed in 1982 under the British Army’s Intelligence Corps (Source). FRU was to be tasked with running HUMINT agents in Northern Irish terrorist organisations to gather intelligence about their intentions (Source). The Army had mainly relied on the RUC Special Branch for its intelligence. However, organisational tensions and disputes over operational procedures may have led to the creation of the FRU (Source). One former FRU operator stated some agents would refuse to work with the RUC, due to perceived sectarian bias (Source). 14 Intelligence Company and FRU likely worked together, fulfilling collection requirements and trading operational intelligence (Source).
The Force Research Unit (FRU) would go on to be reorganised into the Joint Support Group (JSG) after the 2003 Stevens Enquiry. The JSG would prove to be highly effective in Iraq, working alongside the SAS and the US’ Delta Force (Source).
6.5 Regular Army Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
14 Intelligence Company operations were supported by a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of regular British Army soldiers. The QRF would only be called upon in the event of an emergency. QRFs comprised regional Army groups that would be on temporary standby for the duration of the 14 Intelligence Company operation. A standby troop would be made up of three sections. Each section was made up of eleven men. Sections would rotate standby duties of 8-12 hours at a time. Active sections would be in full kit and ready to go at a moment’s notice (Source).
Due to the highly sensitive nature of 14 Intelligence Company operations, QRFs would not be informed of the details of the “Det’s” activities ahead of time. Instead, details of the operation and special instructions were placed into an envelope that was given to the QRF commander. The envelope was only to be opened at the instruction of 14 Intelligence Company’s operation commander. The envelope was to be returned unopened if the QRF was not activated (Source).
When regular soldiers encountered 14 Intelligence Company in the field, they were told by “Det” operators to treat them like any other civilian and to part ways (Source).
6.3 Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Branch
As the primary security force in the Troubles, 14 Intelligence Company’s activities were generally to support RUC activities. The RUC’s Special Branch briefed “The Det” on intelligence relevant to their operations. As part of “Ulsterisation”, an effort to put the RUC and Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) at the forefront of the Troubles (Source). The RUC was reorganised and in the process Special Branch developed two new units.
In 1980, Special Branch’s E Department cultivated a covert surveillance unit, E4A Surveillance. E4A was to be based directly on 14 Intelligence Company. “Det” operators were involved in setting up the new unit, using a similar selection and training process. E4A officers were valuable in that, as natives, they did not have to train in accents, local customs and regional knowledge. This also made it more likely they could talk their way out of dangerous situations such as paramilitary checkpoints. They were not, however, trained to as high a degree as 14 Intelligence Company and did not conduct operations in the most hardline Republican areas (Source).
The second new unit Special Branch formed was E4 Special Support Unit (SSU), also known as Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU). HMSU is a police tactical unit trained by the SAS (Source). 14 Intelligence Company, when possible, would embed an operator with HMSU before making an arrest to help coordinate communications between the two units (Source).
Both E4A Surveillance and HMSU supported 14 Intelligence Company operations. E4A, for example, may conduct surveillance of a property in advance of 14 Intelligence Company conducting a search of it (Source). HMSU were involved in the resolution phases of operations in a similar capacity to the SAS (Source).
6.4 Security Service (MI5)
MI5, alongside RUC Special Branch, informed 14 Intelligence Company of intelligence relevant to their operations via the unit’s Military Intelligence Liaison Officers (MLOs) (Source). MI5 would also occasionally provide tactical support to 14 Intelligence Company, such as specialist technicians capable of disabling advanced home security systems (Source).
7.0 Equipment
7.1 Kit
- Clothes – Most of 14 Intelligence Company’s missions required operators to wear civilian clothes (“civies”), typical of Northern Ireland to maintain their cover (Source). Operators were advised to buy clothes from charity shops. If their cover was blown, the protocol was to burn the clothes immediately to reduce the chance of accidentally being recognised again (Source).
Some missions such as those in the countryside, were more suited to the standard issue Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) camouflage the regular Army wore. This was likely because using the cover of regular soldiers to approach their objective was more convenient than trying to blend into the rural communities. Unlike the cities, members of the small communities may be more likely to recognise strangers posing as civilians (Source).
For night operations, a full set of black clothing was to be worn (Source).
- Balaclava – Det operators were issued balaclavas to protect their identity from compromise in the event they had to apprehend suspects (Source).
- White Arm Band – In the event of a firefight with terrorists, operators carried a white arm band which would help identify them if they were wearing civies to HMSU, the SAS or the QRF.
- Concealed Shoulder, Waist and Ankle Holsters.
- Plasticuffs
- Tracking device to locate operators if they were apprehended by terrorists.
7.2 Surveillance Tools
- Communications – Operators were each equipped with encrypted radios. A concealed earpiece hidden under their long hair and a concealed throat microphone would allow them to communicate while mobile. When unable to communicate verbally during operations, operators would use clicks to communicate over the “net” (Source).
- Surveillance Equipment – Operators of the Det had a number of devices at their disposal to carry out their surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities. These included eavesdropping bugs and hidden cameras. As well as tools to break into hostile properties, such as lock-picking sets and key impression kits.
- Passive Night Vision Goggles
- Cameras – Nikon SLR FE2 35mm Camera with various lenses and infrared film and flash for photography in pitch black. They may also be equipped with motor drives to take 5 frames per second for small windows of opportunity.
Hasselblad camera with 120mm film for photography from the helicopter. The film could be blown to a large scale, allowing analysts to see all the required details.
Cameras could also be equipped with an image intensified scopes and were sometimes concealed in bags. - Video cameras, sometimes concealed in bags or suitcases.
7.2 Weapons
- Pistol – Browning High Power and Walther PPK.
Browning High Power pistols stored in Q Cars were customised with 20-round magazines and enlarged safety catches to draw more reliably at speed. Walther PPKs were used as backup weapons or when the operator’s clothes could not obscure the bulk of a Browning High Power.
- Submachine Gun – MAC-10 and H&K MP5K.
H&K MP5Ks may be equipped with a magazine clamp, allowing for fast reloads by placing two magazines side by side. MP5Ks could also be hidden inside a suitcase for a covert appearance. - Carbine – H&K 53
- Assault Rifle – H&K G3 and G3KA
H&K G3s could be equipped with a Maglite torch. It could also be converted into an infrared torch for use with night vision. - Shotgun – Remington 870 Pump Action 12 Bore Shotgun
The Pump Action 12 Bore Shotgun would primarily be used for Method Of Entry (MOE). - Flashbangs
Magnification scopes and Image intensifying night sights were also available to 14 Intelligence Company operators.
7.3 Vehicles
7.3.1 Q Cars
Q Cars were designed to be a covert surveillance vehicle that could traverse Northern Ireland unnoticed by paramilitary forces. Although the name initially appears to be a reference to the James Bond character, it allegedly refers to Q Ships (Source). Their purpose was to deceive, trap and destroy German U-Boats in World War One using their unassuming appearance and hidden weapons (Source).
Covert vehicles were already in use by the RUC before The Troubles for routine policing activities (Source).
However, 14 Intelligence Company’s vehicles sported a number of additional features to support surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities:
- Hidden kevlar armour, with various gaps to allow operators to return fire in the event of an ambush.
- Concealed cameras, radios and speakers.
- Brake lights that could be switched off to maintain a lower profile at night.
- Engine cut-off switches as a hijacking countermeasure.
- A system to detect electronic tampering, an indicator of a bomb being planted on the vehicle.
- A flashbang dispenser that would deploy in all directions before detonating. To be used only in emergencies, such as escaping a terrorist checkpoint or dispersing a hostile crowd.
14 Intelligence Company operators would also add additional pieces of set dressing to their vehicles to make them appear more civilian (Source).
7.3.2 Gazelle AH1 Helicopter
665 Squadron of the Army Air Corps provided the support of a Gazelle AH1 helicopter for surveillance activities (Source). Advanced surveillance equipment such as Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras replaced the weapons systems on the helicopter. At Least one member of “The Det” would accompany the pilots and use the sighting system to observe suspects. The operator in the helicopter would also be armed in the event that they would have to engage a target from the air. This is no record of a scenario like this unfolding (Source). The “Det” operator in the helicopter may be an individual whose cover was recently blown. This meant they would have to stay off the ground for a period of time (Source).
8.0 Operations After the Troubles, The Increment & The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
8.1 Operations outside of the Troubles
Although the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, the “Det” remained in Northern Ireland for several years (Source). 14 Intelligence Company had been created for the specific conditions the Troubles required. However, the unit’s expertise would go on to be applied elsewhere.
In 2002, it was reported that 14 Intelligence Company had been deployed to Spain to investigate links between the IRA and the Basque separatist and terrorist organisation, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA). It was observed that this was highly unusual and would usually be a task for the intelligence services (Source).
In the 1990’s, the 14 Intelligence Company was reportedly rumoured to be deployed with the SAS to the Balkans, as part of Operation Tango, to provide Close Target Reconnaissance on war criminals from the former Yugoslavia (Source). Additonally, The Increment was also believed to be present for these operations (Source).
8.2 The Increment
The reports of 14 Intelligence Company operating in Spain and in the Balkans may suggest the unit had participated in SIS operations as part of “The Increment”. 14 Intelligence Company’s skill set appears to be highly compatible with SIS’ operational requirements. The Troubles also likely led to significant advances in the development of covert surveillance and undercover doctrine, of which the Det was at the forefront.
The Increment today is believed to be mostly comprised of operators from units that were all at some point directly involved with 14 Intelligence Company. These include the SAS, SBS, SRR (The “Det’s” successor), Joint Support Group (The Force Research Unit’s successor) and other elements of the Intelligence Corps (Source).
8.3 The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
In 2005, the same year of the PIRA’s disarmament, 14 Intelligence Company was disbanded and reorganised into the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR). A part of United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). The Ministry of Defence recognised the value of 14 Intelligence Company’s experience in Northern Ireland and saw the opportunity to implement their capabilities in global operations (Source). The SRR has gone on to deploy to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. As well as on domestic operations against dissident Irish Republicans and the Islamic State (Source). SRR is sometimes compared to the US 75th Ranger Regiment’s Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RCC), which fulfils a similar role.
Read more about the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) here.
9.0 Conclusion
14 Intelligence Company was the British Army’s attempt to professionalise plain clothes covert surveillance, succeeding where the Military Reaction Force (MRF) before it failed. The unit went on to be deployed elsewhere in Europe, serving as the prototype for the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR). 14 Intelligence Company likely was a leap forward in UK covert operational doctrine, providing a valuable blueprint for future operations.
9.1 Further Reading
- Undercover War: Britain’s Special Forces and their secret battle against the IRA – Harry McCallion
- The Operators: On the streets with Britain’s most secret service – James Rennie
- She Who Dared: Operations in Northern Ireland with the SAS – Jackie George and Susan Ottaway
- First Into Action: A dramatic personal account of life in the SBS – Duncan Falconer
- Fishers of Men: The gripping true story of a British undercover agent in Northern Ireland – Rob Lewis
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