Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines

Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines
source
Unit name	Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines
Dates	1998–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Royal Marines unit
Role	Fleet protection, Guardship, security
Command structure	Fleet Commander
Garrison	RM Condor, Faslane
Motto	"Per Mare Per Terram"
Notable commanders	Lt Col. Chris Mercer, Brigadier Julian Thompson

Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines is a United Kingdom Royal Marines unit responsible for maritime security, ship protection, and strategic site defense. It consolidates specialist capabilities drawn from Royal Marines Commandos, Commando Logistic Regiment, and naval security elements to safeguard Royal Navy assets, installations like HMNB Portsmouth and HMNB Clyde, and visiting warships. The group provides guarded detachments, counter-terrorism measures, and force protection during operations involving HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), HMS Prince of Wales (R09), and other fleet units.

History

The formation traces to post-Cold War reorganization of Naval Party detachments and the consolidation of the Royal Naval Police and Royal Marines security roles following the 1990s defence reviews such as the Strategic Defence Review (1998). Early antecedents include shipboard guards from the 19th century Royal Marines and Second World War-era protection units that supported convoys like those in the Battle of the Atlantic. The group evolved through links to units deployed in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, absorbing lessons from Operation Telic and Operation Herrick about expeditionary force protection. Structural changes during the 21st century integrated capabilities from the Standing Naval Force Atlantic commitments and adapted to threats highlighted by incidents such as the USS Cole bombing and piracy off Somalia.

Role and Responsibilities

The group's remit spans safeguarding aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and shore establishments including HMNB Devonport. Responsibilities include embarkation of ship protection detachments for carrier strike groups, static defense for strategic sites like Faslane (home of the Trident nuclear deterrent), and provision of specialist security escorts for high-value units such as Vanguard-class submarine movements. It supports multinational task groups including NATO formations like the Standing NATO Maritime Group and cooperates with agencies such as Ministry of Defence staffs, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office security teams, and international partners during Exercise Joint Warrior and Operation Atalanta.

Organization and Units

The group comprises specialist squadrons and sections drawn from the Royal Marines order of battle, including dedicated ship protection detachments, a headquarters element responsible to the Fleet Commander, and detachments aligned with Carrier Strike Group operations. Sub-units mirror structures found in 3 Commando Brigade and coordinate with Fleet Air Arm units embarked on carriers such as Sea King and Merlin. Liaison cells work with the Royal Navy Police, Defence Intelligence branches, and NATO command structures. Domestic basing involves sites at RM Condor and support from HM Naval Base Clyde logistics.

Training and Selection

Personnel are selected from Royal Marines trained in commando skills, with additional courses in close protection, marksmanship, and maritime boarding techniques taught alongside instructors from Special Boat Service and Special Air Service liaison teams. Training regimes include live-fire ranges used by Ministry of Defence Police and simulated shipboard drills modelled on scenarios from Exercise Cougar and Exercise Neptune Warrior. Specialist courses cover combat swimming, fast-rope insertion techniques employed by Fleet Air Arm helicopters, and counter-IED training influenced by lessons from Operation Granby and Operation Herrick. Selection emphasises prior service in Commandos and completion of the All Arms Commando Course where applicable.

Equipment and Capabilities

Armament and equipment include precision small arms such as variants of the L85A2 rifle and L115A3 sniper rifle, personal protective equipment used by UK Special Forces elements, and light support weapons compatible with Royal Marines doctrines. Maritime capabilities incorporate rigid-hulled inflatable boats used by 22nd Special Air Service Regiment-coordinated patrols, embarked small arms for ship protection, and access to carrier-borne aviation assets like the F-35B Lightning II and AgustaWestland Merlin for rapid insertion. Electronic countermeasures and surveillance gear reflect procurement programmes similar to those employed by Defence Equipment and Support and interoperable communications aligned with Joint Forces Command systems.

Operational Deployments

The group has provided detachments on HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion during amphibious task group deployments, contributed to anti-piracy operations off Somalia alongside EU NAVFOR and Combined Task Force 151, and supported coalition operations during Operation Telic and subsequent maritime security tasks in the Gulf of Aden. Domestic deployments include protection duties at Faslane during heightened alert periods and security support for carrier visits linked to diplomatic missions with partners such as United States Navy carrier strike groups and exercises with Royal Australian Navy and French Navy units.

Insignia and Traditions

Unit insignia and traditions draw on the historic symbols of the Royal Marines, including the globe and laurel, the motto "Per Mare Per Terram" shared with 3 Commando Brigade, and elements reflecting naval connections to the White Ensign and Royal Navy heritage. Ceremonial practices mirror those of Royal Marines Band Service parades and commemorate historical actions alongside memorials for campaigns such as the Falklands Conflict and the Normandy landings. Honors and awards to personnel have included mentions in despatches and decorations awarded under the Operational Honours and Awards framework.

Category:Royal Marines Category:British military units and formations