Army

Paras Reinstate Wartime Pegasus Badge

Pegasus has officially become the emblem of 16 Air Assault Brigade, as part of changes to the brigade’s structure and command relationships.

It comes after a 15-year battle by The Parachute Regiment to reintroduce the emblem, which was retired in 1999 after the formation of 16 Air Asslt Bde, and replaced by the Striking Eagle.

The reintroduction of the iconic badge, recognised internationally as the defining symbol of British Airborne Forces, will come as welcome news to a number of Paras, some of whom went to the extent of stitching the emblem inside their uniforms so they could still wear it.

Pegasus has been adopted as 16 Air Asslt Bde leaves Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) to come under the direct command of the newly-formed Headquarters Field Army.

Pegasus Badge To Define Airborne Forces — A paratrooper strapping 81mm mortar bipod to his bergen.

The Attack Helicopter Force - formed of Wattisham-based 3 and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps and 7 Air Assault Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - is leaving the Brigade to remain within JHC, but will continue to work closely with the Brigade.

Striking Eagle retired:

The change was formally marked at a sunrise parade at Merville Barracks in Colchester.

Some 2,000 troops and civilian support staff from all of the Brigade’s units gathered to watch the Striking Eagle flag lowered for the last time and Pegasus raised in its place.

The ceremony, led by Senior Chaplain Reverend Alan Steele, retired the Striking Eagle with dignity and gave soldiers a chance to reflect on the operations in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Mali for which it served as the Brigade’s emblem.

The Pegasus adopted by 16 Air Asslt Bde is the same emblem used by the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions and the 44th Indian Airborne Division in the Second World War.

Soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division pictured in 1944 wearing the Pegasus flash on their left arm.

The parachute and glider troops who served at battles such as D-Day, Arnhem, the Rhine Crossings and in Burma set the high standards expected of the soldiers who serve with 16 Air Asslt Brigade.

Airborne capabilities:

Brigadier Colin Weir DSO MBE, Commander of 16 Air Asslt Bde, said:

"As an armed man being delivered into battle by air, Pegasus defines the role of 16 Air Assault Brigade as the Army’s very high readiness formation."

“The parade has given us an opportunity to gather together as a Brigade and reflect on our history under the Striking Eagle, to pay tribute to those killed on operations while wearing it and look to our future under Pegasus.

“The Brigade is continuing to develop its airborne capabilities alongside the Royal Air Force and Joint Helicopter Force and working ever more closely with our partners in the US and French armies. Whatever, whenever and wherever the next operation is for 16 Air Assault Brigade, Pegasus and its ethos will once again be in the van of battle.”