The 25 Engineer Regiment was a former engineer unit of the Corps of Royal Engineers, itself within the British Army. The regiment was first formed to support the 2nd Armoured Division was later disbanded in 2012 following the Army 2020 Refine. Before disbanding, the regiment was tasked with supporting the RAF under the 11th Engineer Group.
In 1950, the 25 Field Engineer Regiment was formed from squadrons recently transferred from the 24th and 32nd Regiments. These squadrons were renumbered and assigned directly to the 3rd Infantry Division's Engineers Group. At this time, the regiment controlled the following units; 39 and 50 Field Squadron and 46 Field Park Squadron. The next year, 37 Field Squadron was moved to Cyprus and deployed to Libya. The next year, the regiment took part in the Egyptian Invasion and after the end of the war, the regiment moved back to Invicta Park Barracks in Maidstone. After returning, the regiment was told they were to deploy to Christmas Island as part of the nuclear bomb tests operation, known as Operation Grapple. In September 1958, 46 Field Park Squadron moved to 36 Engineer Regiment. In 1958 the regiment was moved to Roberts Barracks in Osnabrück and renamed as 25 Corps Engineer Regiment. This move and renaming was a result of the 1957 Defence White Paper which reduced and restructured the army. After moving base, the regiment was assigned to the 11th Engineer Group. In April 1969 following the 1966 Defence White Paper, the regiment was renamed as the 25 Engineer Regiment. From 1 August to 30 November 1973, the regiment deployed to Northern Ireland in the infantry role and based in Girdwood Barracks. After returning, the regiment was assigned to the 2ndArmoured Division and amalgamated with the 23rd Engineer Regiment. After their amalgamation with the 23rd Engineer Regiment, the new unit was titled as the 2nd Armoured Division Engineer Regiment. By this time, the regiment controlled the following squadrons;
Regimental Headquarters
12 Field Squadron
16 Field Squadron
39 Field Squadron
43 Field Support Squadron
From June—October 1977 and October 1979—January 1980 the regiment deployed to Northern Ireland in the infantry role. Eventually in 1981 following the 1981 Defence White Paper. the 2nd Armoured Division was re-designated as an infantry division. This new division was to lose all brigades except for the 24th Airmobile Infantry Brigade. After this, the division then included the following brigades; 15th Infantry Brigade and the 42nd Infantry Brigade. Because of this re-organisation, the regiment was renamed and reorganised as 25 Engineer Regiment. In January 1981, the regiment was re-designated as the 25 Engineers and moved under the control of Commander Royal Engineers, 1st based in Bielefeld. By this time, the regiment controlled all of the same units except for the 39 Field Squadron which had been moved to 23 Engineer Regiment in 1983.
In 2007, Operation Banner came to an end. This operation was the longest continuous operation ever endured by the armed forces. Following this operations end, the regiment moved to Waterbeach Barracks in Cambridge and re0organised and renamed as the 25 Air Support Engineer Regiment. Following their move to Waterbeach, the regiment was placed under control of the 12th Engineer Group. As a result, the regiment was expanded to a 511-man strength including a REME workshop of 54 men. After this, the regiment gained two new squadrons, and had the following full structure;
After re-rolling under their new air support role, the regiment deployed squadrons on both Operation Telic and Herrick. In 2010, following the Army 2020 Reforms, it was announced the regiment was to be removed from the army orbat "not before October 2015", and finally disbanded in April 2012. After their disbandment, the two air support squadrons moved back to 39 Air Support Engineer Regiment.
