Director Special Forces

Director Special Forces (DSF) is the senior British Armed Forces officer responsible for special forces. The post is a senior role within the Ministry of Defence (MoD).[1] As Director, the incumbent is responsible for the provision of United Kingdom Special Forces capability to MoD, and holds Operational Command for discrete Special Forces operations.

History

The post of Colonel SAS was created in 1964; this post evolved into Director SAS with the post holder commanding the Special Air Service corps from 1969.[2]

In March 1987, the post of Director SAS became Director Special Forces; it consisted of the Army Special Air Service, Royal Marines Special Boat Service and Army 14 Intelligence Company under the command of the DSF, who held the rank of brigadier, and with a Deputy, who held the rank of colonel.[2][3][4]

During the 2000s, the size of the directorate increased substantially with the inclusion of the Special Forces Support Group, Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (formerly 14th Intelligence Company). This was to meet a demand for a special reconnaissance capability identified in the Strategic Defence Review: A New Chapter published in 2002 in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks.[5]. However there was a reduction in the scope of UK Special forces when, following a review, it was found that the SAS Reserve lacked a clearly defined role, and also stated that the reservists lacked the capability, equipment, and skills to serve alongside the regular special forces.[6] As an outcome of this review, on 1 September 2014, 21 and 23 SAS were removed from the UKSF order of battle and placed [7] with the HAC under the command of 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade.[8][9] This change was partly reverted in 2019 with 21 and 23 SAS returning as an integrated part of the UKSF group.[10]

In 2008, the rank of the DSF was upgraded from brigadier to major-general with the directorate becoming an independent, operational-level component command, alongside Land, Navy and Air elements in the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) and in the deployable Joint Task Force Headquarters.[11][4]

Commanders

Commanders of special forces have been:[11]

Colonel SAS

1964–1967 Colonel John Waddy (late Parachute Regiment)[12]
1967–1969 Colonel Mike Wingate Gray (late Black Watch)

Director SAS

1969–1972 Brigadier Fergie Semple (late Royal Engineers)
1972–1975 Brigadier John Simpson (late Gordon Highlanders)
1975–1979 Brigadier John Watts (late Royal Ulster Rifles)
1979–1983 Brigadier Peter de la Billière (late Durham Light Infantry)
1983–1985 Brigadier John Foley (late Royal Green Jackets)