29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Nilfanion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Unit name	29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Dates	1947–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Artillery
Type	Commando artillery
Role	Close support artillery for Royal Marines
Size	Regiment
Command structure	1st Commando Brigade
Garrison	RM Condor (historically), Bexhill-on-Sea (training locations)
Battles	Falklands War, Bosnian War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Gulf War

29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Artillery specialising in providing artillery support to Royal Marines and 1st Commando Brigade formations. The regiment combines amphibious, expeditionary and airborne competencies to support operations alongside units such as 40 Commando, 42 Commando, 45 Commando and allied formations. It operates within the British Army framework while uniquely maintaining commando-trained personnel capable of integrating with United Kingdom Special Forces taskings and multinational coalitions.

History

Formed after the Second World War during the post‑war reorganisation that affected the British Army and the Royal Artillery, the regiment traces its lineage through coastal, territorial and regular batteries that served in theatres including North Africa, Italy and the Western Front. During the Falklands War the regiment's batteries supported operations alongside Royal Navy carriers such as HMS Hermes (R12) and HMS Invincible (R05), engaging in fire support missions during the campaign that followed the Argentine occupation of the Falkland Islands. In the 1990s and 2000s elements deployed on operations in the Gulf War, the Bosnian War as part of UNPROFOR and NATO missions, and later in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), frequently embedding with units like 3 Commando Brigade and multi‑national divisions. The regiment has adapted through Army restructuring programmes including the post‑Cold War drawdown and later modernisation initiatives associated with programmes such as Future Force 2020 and subsequent British defence reviews.

Role and Organisation

The regiment's principal role is close fire support for 1st Commando Brigade and associated amphibious formations, providing artillery liaison, fire control and gun battery deployments able to operate from littoral, arctic and expeditionary environments. Organisationally it comprises multiple batteries named after historical artillery formations and geographic titles, each equipped for towed and manoeuvre firepower and integrated with forward observation parties and naval gunfire liaison teams. It works closely with the Royal Marines, Fleet Air Arm aviation assets including helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force, and land units from the British Army. Command relationships have included attachments to corps and brigade headquarters such as Headquarters Land Forces and multinational commands during overseas deployments.

Equipment and Weapons

Historically equipped with towed guns such as the L118 light gun and earlier with pieces like the 25-pounder field gun, the regiment has modernised its inventory to maintain mobility and precision. Current primary systems include the L118 105mm light gun for expeditionary fires and associated fire‑control systems, digital communications suites interoperable with NATO allies, and precision munitions compatible with allied stocks. Batteries have used radars and observation equipment such as the AN/TPQ-36 and forward observers employing systems derived from platforms like HJ-12-class targeting sets and laser target designators for joint fires with Royal Navy ships and Royal Air Force strike aircraft including the Eurofighter Typhoon and rotary platforms. Logistic support leverages vehicles such as the Pinzgauer and trucks from the Royal Logistic Corps.

Training and Commando Qualification

Personnel undertake rigorous preparation including artillery core trade training delivered by the Royal Artillery schools, combined arms exercises with units from Commando Helicopter Force, and amphibious skills alongside the Royal Marines at facilities such as DTE Lyneham and amphibious ranges. Many soldiers complete the All Arms Commando Course administered by the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre at Lympstone Commando, earning the coveted green beret and qualification to wear the Royal Marines Commando badge. Training emphasises live fire planning, naval gunfire liaison using doctrine from Joint Fires publications, cold‑weather and mountain operations akin to Arctic Warfare training, and interoperability standards promulgated by NATO.

Operational Deployments

The regiment has seen operational service in conventional and irregular conflicts: during the Falklands War providing island support; in the Gulf War contributing to coalition fires; under UNPROFOR and IFOR mandates in the former Yugoslavia during the Bosnian War; and extensively on counterinsurgency and stabilisation tours in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside formations such as 3 Commando Brigade and 1st (UK) Armoured Division. It has participated in multinational exercises including Cold Response, Joint Warrior and Trident Juncture, and has contributed to humanitarian and security assurance tasks coordinated with organisations like NATO and the United Nations.

Traditions and Insignia

The regiment maintains artillery traditions derived from the Royal Artillery such as the firing of honours, battery names, and the use of the regimental march associated with historic batteries. Insignia incorporate standard Royal Artillery emblems including the gun badge and flaming grenade, adapted for commando wear alongside the Royal Marines commando dagger on some ceremonial items. Regimental customs reflect ties to historic artillery engagements and commemorations observed at memorials such as the Royal Artillery Memorial and during services attended by units from 1st Commando Brigade and affiliated veteran organisations.

Notable Personnel

Notable figures associated with the regiment include decorated battery commanders and senior non‑commissioned officers who later served in high staff appointments across the British Army, senior officers who worked within Ministry of Defence planning, and personnel recognised with awards such as the Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches for actions on operations in the Falklands War, Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Several alumni have worked with allied militaries and defence institutions including NATO headquarters and international liaison posts.

Category:Regiments of the Royal Artillery Category:Commandos (United Kingdom)