Military Reaction Force

Covert British Army unit set up in Northern Ireland in 1971. Its MRF acronym has given rise to a variety of explanations over the years.

“Plain-clothes teams, initially joint RUC/army patrols, have operated in Northern Ireland since the IRA bombing campaign in Easter 1971.

“Later in 1971 the teams were reformed and expanded as Military Reaction Forces (MRFs) without RUC participation.

“In 1972 the operations of the MRF were brought under more centralised control and a higher standard of training achieved by establishing a Special Reconnaissance Unit (SRU) of 130 with all ranks under direct command of HQNI..