Joint Rapid Reaction Force

The Joint Rapid Reaction Force could be deployed in three phases. The first element was known as the Spearhead Forces that were kept at a high state of readiness. This was composed of: • The Spearhead Land Element (SLE) of special forces (SAS or SBS), and either a light infantry battalion or a commando group. • The Spearhead Naval Force (SNF) of two frigates or destroyers, an attack submarine and a support ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Following that, if required, was the First Echelon, composed of • A Maritime Task Group of major warships • A Mine Countermeasures Group • An Amphibious Task Group which could deploy: • A Joint Landing Force drawn from either 3 Commando Brigade or 16 Air Assault Brigade. In the final phase, a Second Echelon could be deployed, with further major naval units and ground forces from 1st (UK) Armoured Division and 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division. All of these elements could be supported by helicopters, transport and combat aircraft as required. ==Deployments==

Elements of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force were activated for the British military intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War in May to September 2000. The Spearhead Land Element consisted of the standby special forces squadron and 1 PARA plus a single rifle company of 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, both part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Also deployed was an air element provided by the Joint Helicopter Command, consisting of four RAF CH-47 Chinooks which flew direct to Sierra Leone from the UK. A Royal Navy Carrier Group led by HMS Illustrious and an Amphibious Task Group led by were also deployed. Elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade were deployed to the Republic of Macedonia as a spearhead for Operation Essential Harvest in August 2001, a NATO operation in support of a ceasefire ending the insurgency. The brigade also formed the United Kingdom's first response to the War in Afghanistan. ==See also==