3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
The 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), is a battalion sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and is a subordinate unit within 16 Air Assault Brigade.
| Third Battalion, Parachute Regiment | |
|---|---|
Cap badge of the Parachute Regiment | |
| Active | 1941–1948 1948 – present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Airborne infantry |
| Role | Air assault infantry |
| Size | Battalion 662 personnel |
| Part of | Parachute Regiment 16 Air Assault Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Colchester Garrison |
| Nickname(s) | Gungy Third |
| Motto(s) | Utrinque Paratus (Latin for "Ready for Anything") |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Sir Gerald Lathbury Richard Lonsdale |
| Insignia | |
| Drop zone flash | |
Roled as an Airborne light infantry unit, the battalion is capable of a wide range of operational taskings. Based at Merville Barracks, Colchester Garrison, their barracks in England, personnel regularly deploy outside of the United Kingdom on operations and training.
A unique part of the 3rd Battalion is the inclusion of the Guards Parachute Platoon, which is incorporated into B Company and also known as 6 (Guards) Platoon. The Guards Parachute Platoon is made up of volunteers who have passed P Company from the five Regiments of Foot Guards and Infantry qualified members of the Household Cavalry; they can be distinguished from other paratroopers by a "blue red blue" patch sewn to their beret beneath the Parachute Regiment cap badge.