The regiment can trace its roots to the
12th (Air Formations) Signals formed in 1943, in Kirkburton, England, for the purpose of supporting the
Second Tactical Air Force in the forthcoming invasion of France on
D-Day. The regiment was divided into two companies in 1944 upon moving into
Normandy, France; • 2nd Tactical Air Force (Main) Company • 2nd Tactical Air Force (Reserve) Company. and the regiment was renamed
12th Air Formation Signal Regiment, before being redesignated in 1959 as '''21st Signal Regiment (Air Formation). After the
Options for Change restructuring in 1990, the regiment moved from
Laarbuch to
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne, where it remains presently. Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support) also deployed to Afghanistan in October 2013, and operated within
Helmand,
Kandahar and
Kabul. As part of the initial
Army 2020 reforms, the regiment was no longer designated as an Air Support Signal Regiment and 244 (now carrying the Air Support designation) and 214 Signal Squadrons were transferred to 30 Signal Regiment and
2 Signal Regiment respectively. After the initial
Army 2020 reforms, the regiment was assigned as part of
7th Signal Group within
11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands, and was classified as a Multi-Role Signal Regiment. Following further changes under Army 2020 Refine, from 2018 to 2022 the regiment supported
1st Armoured Infantry Brigade as the Brigade transitioned to become the Army’s first STRIKE Brigade (
1st Deep Recce Strike Brigade). == Future ==