299 PARA Sqn RE (V)Unit Contact

299 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteers) is the Territorial Army's only parachute trained Royal Engineer Squadron and is located in Hull, Wakefield and Gateshead. The Squadron has the following mission:

"To support 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) with trained
Airborne Engineers as individuals or formed bodies"

As part of the British Army's elite Airborne Forces, officers and soldiers volunteering to join 299 Para Squadron undergo the physically and mentally demanding Pre-Parachute Selection (P Company). Passing P Company qualifies the soldier to attend the Basic Parachute Course and earn his prized 'wings'. The wings and the maroon beret are the hallmarks of an airborne soldier of which they are fiercely proud.

299 Para Squadron is roled as an Airborne Close Support Engineer Squadron. This means providing close engineer support to 16 Air Assault Brigade. As part of the TA The Squadron can be mobilised in this role to serve alongside their colleagues in the Regular Army - either as individuals, formed sections and troops or as a complete Squadron. 299 Para Squadron soldiers have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus, Germany and Kenya with the Regular Army.

Opportunities for sports and adventure training are many and varied and soldiers are encouraged to participate. The Squadron has a football team, some soldiers run marathons and compete in triathlons, whilst others skydive, have undertaken mountaineering expeditions and competed in bobsled competitions.

Squadron Headquarters, Support Troop and 2 Troop are all located in Wakefield. 2 Troop is an airborne combat engineer field troop specializing in explosive demolitions, minewarfare, bridge building, water supply, field fortifications and other combat engineer disciplines. Support Troop contains plant operators, drivers, signallers, chefs and other roles essential for 299 Para Squadron to operate.

If you are looking for a challenge, an opportunity to test your courage, fitness and endurance then 299 is interested in hearing from you. For more information, see our website, call the phone number below or call in on a Tuesday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm for an informal chat and look around. We have vacancies for Officers and soldiers as combat engineers, plant operators, drivers, combat medics, combat signallers, chefs and resources specialists.