In the aftermath of the Falklands War, Aldershot’s 5 Infantry Brigade was restructured into 5 Airborne Brigade in November 1983. Integrated 2nd line logistic and equipment support for the Brigade’s units on operations and training was brought together under the command of 5 Airborne Brigade Logistic Battalion which was incrementally set up on a trial basis in 1984 and eventually held its formation parade on 28 September 1988 with General Sir Peter de la Billiere as the Reviewing Officer.

The Battalion was structured along much the same lines as 1 Parachute Logistic Regiment which had provided 2nd Line support to 16 Parachute Brigade until it, and its parent brigade disbanded in 1977. The Battalion’s personnel adopted 1 Para Log’s black stable belt with the red/black diagonal DZ flash and reoccupied the Technical Area at the northern edge of Montgomery Lines. The Battalion’s single living accommodation was initially within lines shared with 5 Airborne Brigade’s other minor units. In 1993 the Battalion’s officers and men moved into accommodation in Browning Barracks which had become vacant following the relocation out of Aldershot of the Depot Para.

In addition to its small headquarters, the Battalion’s sub-units comprised 63 Airborne Squadron RCT, 82 Airborne Ordnance Company RAOC and 10 Airborne Workshop REME. Several key headquarters posts were filled by members of the Parachute Regiment including the QM, RSM, and RQMS. For operations and training each sub-unit provided a task group of parachute trained personnel grouped together with appropriate C2 and capability to support the Leading Parachute Battalion Group (LPBG). The balance of 5 AB Log Bn with the Brigade’s second line stocks of ammunition, fuel, rations and stores would be flown into the airhead with heavier elements arriving in the sea tail, in order to establish the Brigade Administrative Area (BAA). The Battalion’s CO commanded the BAA which would have initially been sited with the Brigade’s airhead but with the capability of moving elements forward to provide closer support to the Brigade’s combat units as the operation developed.

Second line repair and recovery of the Brigade’s vehicles, weapons and other equipment was provided by the Airborne Workshop, either from its main location in the BAA or through parachute trained Forward Repair Teams.   

A major reorganisation of the Army’s logistic structures resulted in the merging of the RCT, RAOC, ACC, RPC and the Postal and Courier Branch of RE, into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) on 5 April 1993. The new close and general support logistic doctrine which underpinned how the new RLC was to operate impacted significantly on both 63 AB Sqn RCT and 82 AB Ord Coy RAOC and necessitated new titles and the re-subordination of functions within the two subunits. Intimate, largely mobile support to the airborne and airlanded battlegroups was provided by 63 Airborne Close Support Squadron RLC and the balance of combat supplies, stocks and stores were held, largely ground dumped, by 82 Airborne General Support Squadron RLC in the BAA. The role and composition of 10 Airborne Workshop REME was unchanged.

Simultaneously with the formation of the RLC, the Battalion’s overall capability received a significant uplift in manpower and equipment in order to provide 5 AB Bde with equivalent sustainability to the other brigades within 3 UK Division. This uplift included a troop of DROPS vehicles, principally to support the artillery ammunition requirements of 7 Para RHA.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s the Battalion’s subunits were heavily committed Battle Group, Brigade and latterly 3 UK Division exercises at home and abroad. In June 1994, in conjunction with other Brigade units, the Battalion participated in the 50th commemoration of the Normandy Landings.  

In July 1994, 5 AB Bde Log Bn was deployed to central Africa at very short notice for some 4 months as the framework unit of the UK’s contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). This operation, which followed the civil war in Rwanda and the genocidal massacre of almost a million of its citizens, was codenamed GABRIEL and also involved 9 Para Sqn RE, 23 Para Fd Amb RAMC and A Coy, 2 PWRR. It is described in more detail elsewhere in the ParaData archive. The 5 AB Bde group were collectively awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace on their return to UK.

The publication of the government’s Strategic Defence Review in 1998 gave notice that 5 Airborne and 24 Air Mobile Brigades would merge to form the new 16 Air Assault Brigade to be based in Colchester. Whilst preparations were underway for the move to Colchester, 5 AB Bde Log Bn were warned, as very short notice, to provide support to the 1 Para Battle Group on Op AGRICOLA in Kosovo and deployed to Skopje on 6 June 1999. In addition to providing logistic support, the Battalion was tasked with keeping the route to Pristina, through the defile of the Kacanic Gorge, clear of civilian and refugee traffic. Once the defile was secured on 12 June, the Battalion moved north with 216 Para Signals Squadron and 23 Para Field Ambulance to establish a BAA to the south of Pristina. In Early July, after handing over to 27 Regiment RLC, the Battalion returned to Aldershot.

5 AB Log Bn formally disbanded on 31 December 1999 with 63 AB Close Support Squadron RLC resubordinated in McMunn Barracks under the 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC as 63 Air Assault Support Squadron. 82 AB General Support Squadron RLC went into suspended animation but was later reactivated as 82 Air Assault Support Squadron RLC. 10 AB Workshop REME retitled 10 Field Workshop and its place in the 16 AA Bde order of battle was filled by 8 Parachute Field Company REME, part of 7 Air Assault Battalion REME, providing high readiness 2nd line equipment support.     

Commanding Officers:

1985              Lt Col Mike Squires RCT

1988              Lt Col Robin Joy REME

1990              Lt Col Max Kerley QGM RAOC

1992              Lt Col Mike Wharmby OBE RAOC

1994              Lt Col Jim Hunter RLC

1997              Lt Col Mike Russell RLC

Entry compiled by:  Alan Flavell, Mike Wharmby and Mike Russell.