4 Military Intelligence Battalion (United Kingdom)
| 4th Military Intelligence Battalion | |
|---|---|
| 4 MI Bn | |
| Active | post 2000–Present |
| Country | File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom |
| Branch | File:Flag of the British Army.svg British Army |
| Size | Battalion |
| Battalion HQ | Ward Barracks, Bulford Camp |
| Engagements | Operation Telic Operation Herrick |
| Insignia | |
| Battalion badge | File:4 Military Intelligence Battalion badge.png |
The 4th Military Intelligence Battalion (4 MI Bn) is a military intelligence unit of the British Army's Intelligence Corps, which provides close intelligence support to the headquarters for the only warfighting division in the army.
History
[edit | edit source]The 1999 Staff Officer's Handbook mentions 1st and 2nd Military Intelligence Battalions based in Germany and United Kingdom respectively. The 3rd (V) MI Battalion also appears here, however a 4th MI Bn is not mentioned. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed the battalion was formed between 2000 and 2008 (when 5 Bn was formed).[1] By 2007, the battalion appears as part of 1st Military Intelligence Brigade.[2]
Under the Army 2020 programme announced in 2013, the battalion left the disbanding 1 MI Bde to join the new 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade along with the other 4 battalions of the Intelligence Corps (1–3 and 5). In addition, the battalion moved to its current location at Ward Barracks, Bulford Camp.[3][4][5]
As part of the programme, the corps' reserve component was expanded. Therefore, in 2015 7 Military Intelligence Battalion was formed with its headquarters in Bristol, based on 54 Military Intelligence Coy, 5 MI Bn.[6] This new battalion was placed under 1 IS Bde and paired with 4 MI Bn shortly thereafter.[4]
Role
[edit | edit source]The 4th Military Intelligence Battalion (4 MI Bn) is the largest concentration of Intelligence Corps (Int Corps) personnel in the Army, focused on supporting the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division. 4 MI Bn is a regular army unit, which sits under the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade.[7][8] It is tasked with supporting 3 UK Div including its new armoured infantry and strike brigades. The current battalion is split between Bulford Camp and Aldershot Garrison.[9]
Though supporting 3 (UK) Division is the battalion's primary role, it also provides MI support to London District, Southern England, and British Army Germany.[10]
The battalion also oversees small intelligence sections at Bovington Camp, and until 2017, C Company was based Antwerp Barracks, Paderborn Garrison.[11][12]
Structure
[edit | edit source]Following the Army 2020 Refine, the battalion was reorganised into three multi-functional companies, a headquarters, a logistic support section, and a new 'Operations Support MI Company'.[9][13][10]
- Battalion Headquarters
- Headquarters Company
- 41 Military Intelligence Company — (below organisation is standard throughout the companies)[10]
- Company Headquarters
- Close Support (CS) Intelligence Section
- General Support (GS) Intelligence Section
- Battle Group Intelligence Support Section (BGISS)
- Counter Intelligence and Security (CI&Sy) Section
- 42 Military Intelligence Company —
- 43 Military Intelligence Company —
- Operations Support Military Intelligence Company[10]
- Logistic Support Section, at Aldershot Garrison — supporting 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade
Footnotes
[edit | edit source]- ^ Staff Officer's Handbook, pp. 142–143.
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- ^ British Army, Force Troops Command Handbook.
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References
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