3 Commando Brigade (United Kingdom)

3 Commando Brigade (United Kingdom)
Unit name	3 Commando Brigade
Dates	1943–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Marines
Type	Specialised infantry brigade
Role	Amphibious warfare, rapid reaction
Size	Brigade
Garrison	Stonehouse Barracks
Motto	Per Mare, Per Terram

3 Commando Brigade (United Kingdom) is a principal formation of the Royal Marines with a legacy of expeditionary and amphibious operations. Formed during the Second World War, the brigade developed doctrine linking amphibious warfare with rapid reaction operations and has participated in campaigns from the Allied invasion of Sicily to the Falklands War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Its personnel operate alongside units from the Royal Navy, British Army, and international partners such as United States Marine Corps and Dutch Korps Mariniers.

History

The brigade traces origins to the wartime expansion of British Commandos during World War II, participating in operations in the Mediterranean theatre, the Sicily campaign (1943), and later in the Burma Campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army. Postwar restructuring linked the brigade with Cold War commitments alongside NATO forces in West Germany and NATO amphibious planning associated with the North Atlantic Treaty. In 1982 it deployed from HMS Hermes (R12) and HMS Invincible (R05) to the Falklands War, engaging in actions on San Carlos Water, Port Stanley, and the Battle of Mount Tumbledown against Argentine forces of the Argentine Army. During the 1990s the brigade contributed to operations in the Balkan Wars, including missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo War as part of UNPROFOR and NATO-led KFOR. In the twenty-first century elements deployed to the Iraq War during Operation Telic and to Helmand Province in Afghanistan under Operation Herrick, working with formations from the United States Marine Corps and Canadian Forces.

Organisation and structure

3 Commando Brigade is built around three or more commando units drawn from the Royal Marines Commandos such as 40 Commando Royal Marines, 42 Commando Royal Marines, and 45 Commando Royal Marines, supported by specialized troops including the Commando Logistic Regiment, the Royal Marines Band Service, and the Brigade Reconnaissance Force. The brigade integrates assets from the Royal Navy including Amphibious Assault Ship platforms like HMS Albion (L14) and HMS Bulwark (L15), and maintains coordination links with the British Army's 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines predecessors and multinational formations such as NATO Response Force. Command arrangements have seen leaders progress to senior roles within Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) structures and joint staff appointments in Allied Joint Force Command Naples and Permanent Joint Headquarters.

Deployments and operations

Operational history includes amphibious assaults, raids, peacekeeping, and counterinsurgency. In World War II actions included raids across the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Campaign (1943–1944), while the brigade’s role in the Falklands War involved landings at San Carlos, assaults on Goose Green, and final operations for Port Stanley liberation. In the post-Cold War era the brigade executed stabilisation tasks in the Balkans and crisis response during the Sierra Leone Civil War as part of Operation Palliser. Twenty-first century deployments encompassed Iraq War operations in Basra, maritime security patrols in the Gulf of Aden countering Piracy in Somalia, and repeated tour rotations to Helmand Province during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), often embedded with units from the United States Marine Corps, Royal Air Force Regiment, and Afghan National Army.

Training and doctrine

Doctrine emphasizes amphibious assault, littoral manoeuvre, and joint expeditionary operations developed alongside institutions such as the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone and doctrinal bodies within the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). Training pipelines include the infamous All Arms Commando Course, live-fire exercises with Royal Navy amphibious platforms, cold-weather training in environments like Norway, and urban operations preparation informed by lessons from Operation Herrick and the Iraq War. Interoperability exercises have been conducted with the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Dutch Korps Mariniers, and French Navy forces, while specialised skills are honed at establishments such as the Mountain Leader Training Cadre and the Special Boat Service liaison programs.

Equipment and supporting units

Brigade equipment spans light infantry weapons, armoured support, and maritime platforms. Small arms include variants used across British Armed Forces like the L85A2 assault rifle and support weapons such as the General Purpose Machine Gun. Mobility and fire support are delivered by vehicles including the BvS 10 articulated tracked vehicle, the WV-103 Viking (vehicle) family, and embarked assets from Amphibious Assault Ship classes; aviation support comes from Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm helicopters such as the Westland Lynx and AgustaWestland Wildcat. Logistic sustainment is provided by the Commando Logistic Regiment, medical support by Royal Navy Medical Service detachments, and electronic warfare and reconnaissance capabilities by the Brigade Reconnaissance Force and attached Royal Signals elements.

Notable personnel and honours

Notable figures associated with the brigade include commanders and decorated marines who received awards such as the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Service Order for actions in campaigns like World War II, the Falklands War, and Afghanistan. Individuals have been recognized for leadership during engagements at Mount Longdon and Mount Tumbledown, and for counterinsurgency operations in Helmand Province. The brigade’s battle honours and unit citations reflect engagements tied to Allied operations from the Mediterranean to the South Atlantic and into modern coalition campaigns.

Category:Royal Marines Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom