15 Psychological Operations Group

History

Following the Gulf War of 1991, the UK formed a shadow PSYOPS unit called 15 (UK) PSYOPS Group (Shadow). A double digit prefix was selected to avoid any confusion with the U.S counterparts of the 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 8th MIS/Psych Ops Groups, and the number 15 was chosen because PSYOPS battlefield activities in support of 21 Army Group during WW2 were conducted by Amplifier Units (numbered 10-14). The Group adopted the stag's head formation sign used by the World War II Indian Field Broadcast Units (IFBU). Reputedly the deer's antlers symbolize both the combat support function of PSYOPS and the antennae associated with a major means of dissemination of psychological warfare messages.

15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group was established immediately after the 1991 Gulf War when the success of US military psychological operations convinced the Ministry of Defence that the UK required a similar capability. Initially, it was composed of just a single desk officer with the intention that it would be augmented by additional personnel when required. As such, the group was referred to in military terminology as a 'shadow' unit. Subsequently, conspiracy theorists have suggested incorrectly that 'shadow' was a covert code name for the group and members of the group have been targeted in the press. During the 1990s, for a short period, the name was altered to 15 Information Operations Group (Info Ops) - it being deemed a more generic term suited to its role within the UK's newly formed Information Operations umbrella group which included Media Ops.

Since 1991, the group expanded significantly in size to meet operational requirements and participated in every major UK military operation since that period. The Black and White Association (formerly club) is the regimental association for the group and for the first time, in 2013, members paraded on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph. Leading members of the Black and White Association include Colonel Colin Mason (ret'd), Tony Rowlands (former Foreign Office official), Commander Steve Tatham RN, and the UK's former two-star Director of Defence Communications, Stephen Jolly.

In October 2012, the group was awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace for its "valuable contribution to humanitarian activities by establishing good and friendly relations with the inhabitants of any community at home or overseas". The citation noted that:

The sword was presented to the group's then commanding officer, Commander Steve Tatham RN at a ceremony in London by the Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards. The award was covered by the BBC which was granted exclusive access to the group.

The group's honorary colonel Lieutenant General Sir Paul Newton, formerly Commander of Force Development and Training for the British Army, stepped down in 2014. In 2016, 15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group was moved from Chicksands to Denison Barracks, Hermitage, Berkshire, where it was integrated into 77th Brigade, formerly the Security Assistance Group.

Role

15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group had over 150 personnel under its command, approximately 75 from the regular Armed Forces and 75 from the Reserves. The Group supported deployed commanders in the provision of psychological operations in operational and tactical environments.

References

References

1. "Headquarters Force Troops Command". British Army.
2. Sengupta, Kim. (31 January 2015). "New British Army unit 'Brigade 77' to use Facebook and Twitter in psychological warfare". [[The Independent]].
3. (31 January 2015). "Army sets up new brigade for the 'information age'". [[BBC News Online]].
4. (31 January 2015). "British army sets up social media 'brigade'". [[Al Arabiya News]].
5. "15(UK) Psychological Operations Group". British Army.
6. Jolly, Stephen. (October 2000). "Wearing the Stag's Head Badge: British Combat Propaganda since 1945". The Psywar Society.
7. Muir, Hugh. (13 December 2012). "Master of black propaganda gets top job at MoD". [[The Guardian]].
8. (10 November 2013). "Cenotaph Ceremony & March Past". Royal British Legion.
9. "Colonel Colin Mason". [[Debrett's]].
10. (2013). "Commander Steve Tatham RN". Influence Advisory Panel.
11. "Firmin Sword of Peace awarded to 15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group". Ministry of Defence.
12. Wyatt, Caroline. (27 October 2012). "Psy-ops: Tuning the Afghans into radio". BBC News.
13. "15 (United Kingdom) Psychological Operations Group: Annual Report". 15 (UK) PSYOPS Group.
14. (August 2014). "Hermitage – The Next Chapter". Military Survey (Geographic) Association Newsletter.
15. "15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group". [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom).
16. "Psychological Ops Group". Royal Navy.