Defence Human Intelligence Unit
| Defence Human Intelligence Unit | |
|---|---|
 Crest of the DHU | |
| Active | 2005- |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Military intelligence unit |
| Role | Agent handling Clandestine human intelligence Counterterrorism Espionage Military intelligence |
| Part of | UK STRATCOM |
| Motto(s) | Piscatores Hominum (Fishers of Men)[1] |
| Engagements | Operation Banner (The Troubles) War on Terror Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
The Defence Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Unit (DHU), previously known as the Joint Support Group (JSG), is a tri-service covert human intelligence unit under the operational authority of United Kingdom Strategic Command (UK STRATCOM).
The recruitment, selection and deployment of its agent handlers is known within the military as OP Samson and all of its activities are classified as secret.
History
The DHU was established in 2005 as Operation Banner concluded and following the Stevens Inquiry into allegations of collusion between the former Force Research Unit and Protestant paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.[2][3]
Both the Joint Support Group and, following its inception, the DHU, were active during the Iraq War in running Iraqi double agents and worked closely with the Special Air Service and Delta Force as part of Joint Special Operations Command Task Force Black by providing intelligence for counterterrorism operations. The killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June 2006 and the release of Norman Kember were both reportedly enabled by intelligence obtained by DHU.[4] DHU intelligence also supported Operation Marlborough.[5][6]
DHU was deployed to the War in Afghanistan and reportedly provided intelligence for the capture of 65 Taliban commanders during the Helmand province campaign.[7]
Role
The DHU is tasked with obtaining intelligence by secretly penetrating terrorist organisations through the recruitment and running of agents and informants. The DHU works closely with the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service, and United Kingdom Special Forces.[8][9]
Some of the organisation’s operators are also trained interrogators and have managed to obtain intelligence from captured enemy personnel that sources say has helped to save the lives of dozens of British personnel.[9] The selection and training of interrogators, which is also run by the DHU, is called OP Metis.[9]
Since the formation of the organisation in the early 2000s, six operators have been killed on operations and several more have been wounded, although none of the deaths were publicly attributed to the unit.[9]
Selection and training
The DHU recruits men and women of Lance Corporal rank (or equivalent) and above, from all three branches of the British Armed Forces,[9] up to the age of 40. Volunteers for Agent Handler training under the OP SAMSON selection pipeline must attend a one-day briefing course, then pass a week long pre-selection course followed by 22 weeks training at the Defence Intelligence Training Group at MOD Chicksands. The course provides volunteers with intensive training in the fundamentals of agent handling, unarmed combat, CQB marksmanship and situational awareness in hostile environments.[10]
Upon successful completion of the OP SAMSON selection pipeline, newly qualified operators will be entitled to wear the Galilee grey stable belt of the DHU and the HUMINT Operator qualification badge on the lower left hand sleeve of their service dress.
See also
- Force Research Unit
- Special Reconnaissance Regiment
- Special Reconnaissance Unit
- Military Reaction Force
- Defence Intelligence
- Intelligence Corps
- United Kingdom Special Forces
References
- ^ Rayment, Sean (18 May 2024). "The military's most secretive unit on recruitment drive for undercover operations". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Rayment, Sean (4 February 2007). "Top secret army cell breaks terrorists". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Sharp, Aaron (9 March 2014). "Secret army unit credited with saving THOUSANDS of civilian lives facing chop". Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Rayment, Sean (4 February 2007). "Top secret army cell breaks terrorists". Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ Urban, Mark, Task Force Black: The Explosive True Story of the Secret Special Forces War in Iraq, St. Martin's Griffin, 2012 ISBN 1250006961 ISBN 978-1250006967,p.87,
- ^ Moran, Jon, From Northern Ireland to Afghanistan: British Military Intelligence Operations, Ethics and Human Rights, Routledge, 2016 ISBN 1250006961 ISBN 1317132017,p.70,
- ^ Sharp, Aaron (9 March 2014). "Secret army unit credited with saving THOUSANDS of civilian lives facing chop". Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "Volume 1 Chapter 3: Intelligence structures Report of the Patrick Finucane Review". Pat Finucane Review. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Rayment, Sean (2024-05-18). "The military's most secretive unit on recruitment drive for undercover operations". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Rayment, Sean (4 February 2007). "Top secret army cell breaks terrorists". Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2017.