3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines

3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines
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Unit name	3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines
Dates	1943–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Commando brigade
Role	Amphibious warfare, expeditionary operations
Size	Brigade
Command structure	Fleet Command
Garrison	Stonehouse Barracks
Motto	"Per Mare, Per Terram"
Battles	Allied invasion of Sicily, Normandy landings, Battle of the Scheldt, Falklands War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Operation Telic

3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines is an amphibious warfare brigade of the Royal Marines that served in major 20th and 21st century campaigns including operations connected to World War II, the Falklands War, and expeditionary missions during the War on Terror. The formation integrates units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and allied forces to deliver maritime, littoral, and joint operations alongside partners such as United States Marine Corps, Canadian Forces, and Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. It operates from bases including Stonehouse Barracks and trains with assets from HMS Albion (L14), HMS Bulwark (L15), and embarked air elements.

History

3 Commando Brigade traces its origins to combined commando forces raised during World War II that fought in campaigns including the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign, and the Normandy landings. Postwar reorganisation linked the brigade with Cold War planning in NATO areas such as the North Atlantic and the North Sea, contributing to operations tied to crises like the Suez Crisis and interventions in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. In 1982 the brigade mounted amphibious and land campaigns against Argentine forces during the Falklands War including actions on San Carlos Water and the Battle of Mount Harriet. Later 20th-century deployments included the Gulf War and peacekeeping rotations to the Balkans during the Bosnian War and Kosovo War. In the 21st century the brigade provided deployable elements to Operation Telic in Iraq and sustained operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick, working alongside United States Central Command and NATO Allied Command Operations units.

Organization and Units

The brigade is structured to combine Royal Marines commandos with supported elements from the British Army and the Royal Navy. Core units historically include several commando battalions such as 40 Commando Royal Marines, 42 Commando Royal Marines, and 45 Commando Royal Marines, supported by the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, 59 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers-style engineer squadrons, and logistic elements like Commando Logistic Regiment. Air and reconnaissance support has been provided by units similar to Fleet Air Arm squadrons, Army Air Corps detachments, and signals units including formations analogous to 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (RMAS). Attachments have included elements from the Royal Navy Submarine Service, Royal Air Force Regiment, and allied contingents from the United States Marine Corps and Royal Netherlands Marine Corps during multinational exercises.

Operations and Deployments

Operational history spans from amphibious raids in World War II to high-intensity conflict in the Falklands War and counterinsurgency in Afghanistan. Notable amphibious operations included landings associated with Operation Husky and the Normandy landings; Cold War readiness placed the brigade on alert for operations in the North Atlantic and European theatre alongside British Army of the Rhine. In 1982 the brigade conducted combat operations during the Falklands War with brigade-level coordination for assaults, patrolling, and logistics. During the 1991 Gulf War elements supported Operation Granby, and in the 2000s the brigade provided units to Operation Telic in Iraq and sustained counterinsurgency and advisory operations for Operation Herrick in Afghanistan (2001–2021), liaising with International Security Assistance Force formations and United States Central Command components. The brigade also participates in routine NATO exercises such as Exercise Cold Response, Baltops, and bilateral amphibious training with French Navy and Spanish Navy amphibious forces.

Training and Doctrine

Training mirrors historic commando standards combining rigorous selection with specialized amphibious, mountain, and cold-weather skills drawn from institutions like the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone and mountain warfare instruction similar to doctrines used by the Norwegian Home Guard and Swiss Armed Forces. Doctrine emphasizes littoral manoeuvre, joint forcible entry, and interoperability with naval aviation such as Fleet Air Arm helicopters and allied airlift from Royal Air Force and United States Air Force air assets. Readiness cycles incorporate multinational exercises including BALTOPS and Joint Warrior, and doctrine development engages staffs from Ministry of Defence headquarters, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, and maritime command elements to align with capabilities like ship-to-shore connectors and expeditionary logistics concepts.

Equipment and Support

Brigade equipment includes infantry small arms common to British Army units, light armour such as variants comparable to the FV432-family and protected mobility vehicles akin to the Husky and Jackal, and artillery support from units analogous to the L118 Light Gun. Maritime platforms for embarkation and amphibious assault have included HMS Albion (L14), HMS Bulwark (L15), Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and landing craft such as LCU and LCM types, while aviation support has been provided by Merlin and Wildcat helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm and utility aircraft from the Royal Air Force. Logistic sustainment is coordinated with elements similar to the Royal Logistic Corps and medical support comparable to the Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Navy Medical Service.

Traditions and Insignia

Traditions derive from British commando heritage with ceremonial links to the Royal Marines Band Service, the enduring motto "Per Mare, Per Terram," and the distinctive green beret shared with other commando units such as Royal Marine Commandos and allied formations like the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. Insignia and battle honours reflect campaigns including Sicily, Normandy, and the Falklands War, and unit colours and cap badges follow patterns established by historic commando units and the Royal Marines School of Music for ceremonial display. Annual commemorations and memorials often reference sites like Falkland Islands Memorial installations and remembrance events coordinated with veteran organisations including Royal British Legion.

Category:Royal Marines Category:British military brigades