c1980s 23 Parachute Field Ambulance (P.F.A.) 5 Airborne Brigade Stable Belt

Scarce, 23 PFA stable belt early "THE VICTOR BUCKLE" small sized with the Airborne pegasus badge to centre. Used, worn condition..

23 PFA History:
As a result of the 1974 Defence Review, 16 Independent Para Brigade was disbanded on 31 March 1977. 23 Parachute Field Ambulance did not escape and was reduced to a Parachute Clearing Troop (PCT) as part of 15 Field Ambulance, although the designation of 23 Parachute Field Ambulance remained in suspension in the Army Order of Battle. This composite unit became known as 6 Field Force Ambulance, later re-titled 16 Field Ambulance and stationed in Aldershot. For the next 5 years the Parachute Clearing Troop remained in the Aldershot area whilst individuals deployed supporting Army tasks around the world. A Field Surgical Team was deployed to Lusaka airport in 1978 in support of the French operation at Kolwezi but was not utilised and returned to the UK after an uneventful 5 days.

The Argentinian seizure of the Falkland Islands led to Operation CORPORATE being mounted in 1982. As part of this, the Parachute Clearing Troop deployed with 2 PARA Battalion Group. The medical task was twofold. The Field Surgical Team RAMC & QARANC personnel worked in a joint medical organisation with the Commando Medical Squadron, and unit personnel were also deployed to Regimental Aid Posts working right behind battalions in their advance. As a direct result of Operation CORPORATE a full review of the Army’s ability to mount and support Out of Area Operations took place. Following this, 5 Airborne Brigade was created from the units of 5 Infantry Brigade and enhancements to the supporting services resulted in the reformation of 23 Field Ambulance on 1st of April 1985, eight years after being placed in temporary suspension. It was not until 6 April 1986 that the designation of “Parachute” was brought back into the unit title.

The years since 1985 proved both busy and rewarding. Major elements of the unit deployed on Operation ORDERLEY in 1989 to provide military ambulance support during the national ambulance service strike. During Operation GRANBY in 1991 major elements of unit reinforced 33 General Hospital at Al Jubail and two Field Surgical Teams deployed with 1 and 5 Armoured Field Ambulances. Following the ‘Options for Change’ defence review 144 Parachute Field Ambulance (V) was reformed as 144 Parachute Medical Squadron (V) and became an integral sub-unit of 23 Parachute Field Ambulance in September 1993.

In 1994 following the Rwandan Civil War 155 members of unit deployed initially to Ruhengeri in NW Rwanda and later to Kitabi in the SW. In the aftermath of the civil war, the unit provided primary health care and surgical support to over 30 refugee camps in an area of 1000 sq km. During the 4 month tour the unit performed over 130,000 treatments and the Field Surgical Teams conducted 186 surgical procedures. Following Operation GABRIEL the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A Hawley RAMC was awarded an OBE; WO2 R Bedson RAMC, an MBE; Majors MH England and AM Nicol RAMC, each received a QCVS; and Corporal R Fawcett RAMC, a Joint Commander’s Commendation.

In May 1995 the unit deployed on Exercise PURPLE STAR, a Combined Joint Task Force Exercise with UK and US forces. In July 1996 the unit deployed on Operation RESOLUTE with 23 Hospital Squadron; manned by Regular, TA and reservists to Bosnia Herzogovina as part of the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR). Although the RHQ and Hospital Sqn were withdrawn early in October the unit’s Forward Squadron remained until January 1997 when it was relieved by elements of 1 Armoured Field Ambulance. Throughout Operation RESOLUTE a complete Parachute Clearing Troop remained in Aldershot. They were stood by to deploy to Uganda on Operation PURPOSEFUL in 1996 and they deployed to Zaire in Operation DETERMINANT to Zaire in 1997.

In mid-1999, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance deployed to Macedonia on Operation AGRICOLA with 5 Airborne Brigade in preparation for the NATO KFOR mission in Kosovo. In June 1999, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance deployed into Kosovo with 1 PARA Battalion Group to secure the Kajanik defile, with an airmobile helicopter insertion, to allow the balance of the UK force passage into the country. 23 Parachute Field Ambulance remained in Kosovo until the end of July 1999.

In September 1999, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance was again disbanded.

Code: 1664