What is 3 Commando Brigade?

[thedrifter]

What is 3 Commando Brigade?



3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines is the Royal Navy?s amphibious infantry on permanent readiness to deploy across the globe, and is a core component of the United Kingdom?s Joint Rapid Reaction Force.




Together, the Royal Navy?s amphibious ships and the Brigade represent a highly mobile, self-sustained and versatile organisation, with a strategic power projection capability that is unique among the British armed forces.

Based mainly in the south-west of England, 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines stands in constant readiness to move anywhere in the world to meet emergencies which threaten Britain?s vital security interests, and those of its allies. As an amphibious force it provides a unique national capability; it can sail early to demonstrate political and military will and capability.

Alternatively, it can be despatched with a Royal Navy Task Group assembling covertly at sea, if political understatement is required.


It can take passage through international waters without infringement of territorial boundaries.

It can poise at sea, raid or land on a potentially hostile coast at a time and place of the commander?s choosing.

The Brigade is structured on 3 lightly armed commando units (40 Commando in Taunton, 42 Commando in Plymouth and 45 Commando in Arbroath).

The Brigade is reinforced by Combat Support units such as:


29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers

Combat Service Support elements from the Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines.

United Kingdom Land Force Command Support Group, consisting of specialist reconnaissance troops, communications and Electronic Warfare experts, Air Defence troops and Military Police support the Brigade Headquarters.

Helicopters from the Commando Helicopter Force from the Joint Helicopter Command provide an integral lift capability.

3 Commando Brigade & RM Units

539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines
Provides organic landing craft and raiding craft capabilities for 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. The squadron has been based at RM Turnchapel in Plymouth since 1993, from which it deploys boat groups for operations and exercises worldwide. The squadron was formed in 1984 as a result of lessons learnt during the Falklands conflict. Its number was derived from the most distinguished LC Flotilla to take part in the D Day Landings.

Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines

The Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines is based at Chivenor on the North Devon coast near Barnstaple. The Royal Air Force firstly occupied the establishment in 1935. In 1995, they moved out to make way for the Royal Marines Logistic Regiment who moved from Coypool in Plymouth. The barracks was renamed Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor.

The Brigade Recce Force
The Brigade Patrol Troop provides HQ 3 Commando Brigade with its reconnaissance capability. This small but potent force is trained and equipped to provide early warning and intelligence. This may be to the flank or rear of the Brigade, but more commonly will be to the front where they may be operating up to 60 kilometres ahead of the main body of the Brigade.

The pictures attached of BRF show them during contact drills on the ranges at Camp Fairburn in the Oman. Temperatures here reached 40 degrees Celsius. Weapons carried by BRF are M16 Armalites. On completion of the exercise the troop BRF moved North to exercise in the mountains for 2 weeks before returning to the UK in Late November.

The BRF's normal area of operations was at one time the arctic wastes of Norway. With the end of the Cold War these troops have found themselves in differing climates from Kosovo to the Oman.



http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/1905.html



Sempers,

Roger