The Joint Support Group (JSG) is a covert military intelligence unit of the British Army Intelligence Corps. It was established in the early 2000s as Operation Banner concluded and following the Stevens Inquiry into allegations of collusion between the former Force Research Unit and Protestant paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.[2][1]
| Joint Support Group | |
|---|---|
| Active | Early 2000s - |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Military intelligence unit |
| Role | Agent handling Clandestine human intelligence Counterterrorism Espionage Military intelligence |
| Part of | Intelligence Corps |
| Motto(s) | Piscatores Hominum Fishers of Men[1] |
| Engagements | |
According to The Daily Telegraph, the JSG was later renamed the Defence Human Intelligence Unit (DHU).[1]
Role
editThe Joint Support Group is tasked with obtaining human intelligence by recruiting and running sources and by interrogating captured enemy personnel.[1] The JSG works closely with the Security Service, the United Kingdom Special Forces and with friendly foreign nations.[1]
Deployment in Iraq
editThe Joint Support Group was active during the Iraq War in running Iraqi double agents and worked closely with the Special Air Service and Delta Force as part of Joint Special Operations Command Task Force Black by providing intelligence for counterterrorism operations. The killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June 2006 and the release of Norman Kember were both reportedly enabled by intelligence obtained by JSG.[2] JSG intelligence also supported Operation Marlborough.[3][4]
Deployment in Afghanistan
editJSG was deployed to the War in Afghanistan and reportedly provided intelligence for the capture of 65 Taliban commanders during the Helmand province campaign.[5]
Structure
editJSG consists of a headquarters element, a training wing, and four squadrons. Each squadron contains around 100 operatives.[5]
Selection and training
editThe Joint Support Group recruits men and women of any rank from the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Naval Service up to the age of 42. Volunteers must pass a two-week pre-selection course followed by four months at the Joint Intelligence Training Group at MOD Chicksands.[2]
JSG personnel who are tasked with recruiting and running sources are called agent handlers and their recruitment, selection and deployment is known within the military as OP Samson.[1] The selection and training of interrogators is known as OP Metis.[1] Since the unit was formed, six personnel have been killed on operations.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Rayment, Sean (18 May 2024). "The military's most secretive unit on recruitment drive for undercover operations". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Rayment, Sean (4 February 2007). "Top secret army cell breaks terrorists". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Urban, Mark, Task Force Black: The Explosive True Story of the Secret Special Forces War in Iraq, St. Martin's Griffin, 2012 ISBN 1250006961 ISBN 978-1250006967,p.87,
- ^ Moran, Jon, From Northern Ireland to Afghanistan: British Military Intelligence Operations, Ethics and Human Rights, Routledge, 2016 ISBN 1250006961 ISBN 1317132017,p.70,
- ^ a b Sharp, Aaron (9 March 2014). "Secret army unit credited with saving THOUSANDS of civilian lives facing chop". Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2017.