The Brigade also has an emergency planning and home defence role, and we liaise with the police, fire and ambulance services in 24 unitary authorities and three shire counties.

We recently played a major part in providing support to the regional authorities in dealing with floods, the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and Operation Fresco, the provision of emergency fire-fighting cover across Yorkshire and the North East.

The Brigade, with its HQ at Imphal Barracks in York, is responsible for the North Eastern counties from North Lincolnshire to the Scottish Borders and serves a civilian population of more that 8.5 million.

We administer over 50 units covering the full range of military capabilities from infantry and engineers to signallers and transport.

The Brigade is home to the only TA Parachute Battalion as well as the Army's two MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) Artillery Regiments, The Defence School of Transport (which is the largest driving school in Europe) and the Army Foundation College at Harrogate which trains 16-17 year olds for junior entry to the Army.

Our strong links with our Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations help us to maintain close ties with our many communities.  The Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force, the Army's voluntary youth organisations for 13 to 18 year olds are strong in the North East with 8,400 cadets and adult staff.