A new wave of Royal Marines small boat and landing craft operators has completed intensive training with 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines, qualifying them for front-line amphibious roles across the UK Commando Force, according to a Royal Navy news update.
The 14-week course, conducted across the South West of England, trained marines in operating and commanding various landing craft, including Offshore and Inshore Raiding Craft (ORC and IRC), Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP), and the larger Landing Craft Utility (LCU), which is capable of transporting Challenger 2 tanks.
Training culminated with practical instruction and assessments in Barnstaple Bay, RM Chivenor, the Solent, and Plymouth Sound. While some classroom instruction is required, the course is heavily focused on hands-on skills, including beach approaches under difficult conditions, known as “surfing drills”, which are central to the Landing Craft Branch’s amphibious capability.
At their passing-out ceremony at RM Tamar in HM Naval Base Devonport, Brigadier Jamie Norman, Commander of the UK Commando Forces, addressed the graduates. “You are joining the Landing Craft Branch which is central to the Commando Force,” he said. “Your future will see you working alongside autonomous and uncrewed systems, as well as using your reconnaissance, surveillance and striking skills from the sea to achieve your mission successes.”
He was joined by the outgoing Commanding Officer of 47 Commando (Raiding Group), Colonel William Norcott, who presented certificates to the successful marines on the LC3, LC2 and LC1 courses. Among those recognised were Marine Morris (LC3), Marine Howe (LC2), and Corporal McLeary (LC1). Marine Johnson received top student honours from Master Plaisterer John Telling, representing 47 Commando’s affiliated City of London livery company.
The ceremony concluded with Colonel Norcott formally handing over command of the unit to his successor, Colonel Karl Gray, through the traditional passing of the unit trident.
Graduates will now be posted to assault and raiding squadrons at Devonport and other bases across the UK, where their specialised skills will be integrated into high-readiness amphibious operations.
According to the Royal Navy news update, 47 Commando continues to build on its World War II legacy, training in-house landing craft crews capable of deploying in hostile surf conditions and contributing to upcoming operations, including D-Day 80 commemorations in Normandy.
I just know what comments are coming next ! 😁
#TriggerWarning
#happy hour
As in:
4 Assault Sqn RM.
6 Assault Sqn RM.
9 Assault Sqn RM.
539 LC Sqn RM.
10 LC Training Sqn RM.
11 LC Sqn RM. ( ATTURM )
Are reduced to 539, 10 and 11, in a rebranded 47 Cdo that was 1 AGRM.
LC capability torn asunder.
The only bit that I hope and assume is still unchanged is the Surface Manoeuvre Group, or whatever it’s called this week, the RM LC element that operate the varied craft and boats of the SBS.
Joke, regardless how they may spin it.
(it was more the rubber boats on the beaches that I thought might trigger a few comments !)
Looks like another route has been taken though.
“It’s good to talk/argue”.
47Cdo is home to some of the best coxswains in the world but without the larger Amphibious shipping to transport them into theatre they are going to have to reliant on either the US of possibly the French to get them within striking distance of their objectives for at least the next 10 years that “if” the MoD can pull their fingers out and get Belfast building the next generation of Amphibious shipping this year, a tall order given the inept approach we have seen from MoD’s procurement for the last 20 to 30 years.
You hit the nail right on the head, as a former LC1 I saw amphibious capable ships come & go, LPD’s LPH’s all reached the end of their time BUT were replaced by newer ships before the old were scrapped. What right minded government would scrap our amphibious capability completely while the replacements weren’t even on the drawing board yet? Seems utter madness to me especially in today’s atmosphere of heightened tension world wide.
Thanks’ John,
The UK’s armed forces are in a dyer state at the moment, I cannot see a way out with politicians promising the earth but delivering nothing, we have been told that replacements (for the shipping that has been scraped) are coming but with the gap in capacity we will have for at least 10 years reliant on a not so reliable America.
Apart from the fact that they can launch from existing frigates / destroyers, subs (with inflatables), future frigates, RFA ships, the carriers, can be airlifted, can conduct sea transits from other sections of land and elements of the force can be air dropped….
Don’t spoil someone’s ill-informed rage ranting with actual facts! 😉
Facts that don’t detract from the fact our amphibious capability has been shattered and that currently not a single Amphibious vessel is operational as Argus is screwed.
Oh, and the 3 Bays, if they put to sea, carry 1 LCU or 2 LCVP, and 2 Mexefloat.
LPDs carried 4 of both, plus comprehensive C3, plus munitions for the deployed force.
Facts, I dunno…….
Frigates and destroyers cannot launch LCVP or LCU.
Subs, which? Can launch SDV MK 3 with Chalfont or RIBS.
RFA Ships, so the Bays, can carry 2 Mexefloat.
Carriers can deploy 25 Merlin HC4 from 845 and 846 NAS, and when we had LPDs they could, so not really relevant whrn considering LC capability. Troops and kit are primarily moved by LC.
Air Dropped. Can be, yes, using what?
Air drop is usually conducted by the SBS and by 148 Meiktilla Battery, 29 RA.
SBS can deploy FIC from Victoria or Northern River.
So what you’re listing are the lighter elements of amphibiousity that were there when we had Ocean, Albion, Bulwark, the BARV, and 4,6, 9 Sqns RM as well.
I said air drop (as in parachute capability) can be conducted by certain force assets (more than just 148/Poole).
Yes amphibious assault shipping has been decimated, however when highlighting what we used to have that we no longer, you’re not factoring In what the RM/ commando force is now/ what it’s continuing to be turned into. The simple fact Is, it’s no longer for a mass amphibious assault, therefore you don’t need a mass of amphibious shipping. I appreciate you need some as the LRG/ special operations capability needs some platforms but we do not need what we used to have.
Hi Matter.
Thank you for discussing.
I appreciate we no longer intend/plan to do mass assaults.
But, what defines that? All RM I’ve heard appreciate LCUs range, regardless who they carry.
Also, while we have disposed of the capability, others haven’t for some reason. Including the US. Now why is that I wonder.
I don’t think you intended like that, so tell me I’m wrong, but a mass of shipping?
We had one LPH. Gone.
We had 1 active LPD. Gone.
We had 4 LCAC. Gone.
We had, unsure, possibly 3 or 4 BARV. Gone.
The 3 LSD(A) were hardly mass either, with 1 tied up in the Gulf and another alongside much of the time.
So 1.
I’m afraid I have plenty of cynicism regards MoD HMG finding “valid reasons” to justify a cut. Which what has happened is.
If we need to land in greater number, beyond Points, or others assets, we can no longer.
One should always have options, and while LPDs are still a valued part of navies.
I’m sceptical of the UKCF. While we see headlines about new uniform, new rifles, and hand held drones, what else is there?
The LRG/LSG concept is already dust.
The force lacks firepower, Artillery, precision weaponry, Drones larger than hand held midgets, and a whole lot else.
And it’s keeping a whole Regiment of Artillery and another of Engineers that could now be more gainfully employed elsewhere in the Army.
So TLDR, yes, future concepts are great. Others have the ability to do both, we can now only do one.
Until we suddenly need the other.
Hypothetical scenario. We really think FCF retakes the Falklands as is in Grey Zone Troop strength with no enablers to land beyond RIBS and heli?
Just justifying cuts for me. Not you, but what HMG are doing.
You’re doing what most people outside of the commando force do and that’s registering a concerned and sceptical opinion about it’s direction without actually knowing what they do now, the way their developing, why, how they’re going to be employed now and in the event of a war. I cannot answer any of that outside of what’s already in the public domain with grey zone activities, neo, boarding because it firmly falls under the opsec banner. However, the brigade is absolutely remains and will continue to remain a highly valuable asset. The answer to countering drones and the other stuff you mentioned also falls within that. However, it is not simply just being ignored/ making the commando force redundant as you and others who have commented on here seem to think.
The force is pushing in the direction it flat out has to, it’s a direction that offers the UK/ NATO more, with the current focus being that ukcf will effectively be commited as a NATO maritime sof asset, leaving uksf to deploy on UK sof taskings (this is in the public domain).
The forward deployed LRG idea is dead in the water (excuse the pun) because of what you highlighted re shipping, that’s a fact. However the LRGs in general are very far from redundant and continue to be deployed to thier areas of responsibility as and when required, through other means, this has been demonstrated operationally within the last year.
As for the US keeping it’s mass amphibious assault capability, now we’re onto a different topic. What I’m highlighting is that the commando force has moved away/ past that, for a variety of reasons, I didn’t say there wasn’t a place for it. Amphibious assault ships make fantastic command and deployment platforms for the LRGs for one, they would also allow light infantry from the army to be dropped into none contested environments or hell…even train some battalions up to do classic amphibious assault. Retaining those ships would allow us flexibility to do this. However, as I said, from a commando force point of view that ship has sailed (again excuse the pun). The force cannot keep the numbers or had owing to changes in society (numbers getting through the commando course etc). It has had to shrink, ditch the large amphibious assault capability and re focus on maritime special operations/ acting as small commando forward recce & small scale strike teams. A good move with the alternative beings stay as you were but lose your required shipping and requires numbers ?
Hi Matter.
That sounds like you are on the inside of the Corps. In which case, I respectfully make way, despite still keeping my view.
Hi Matter,
A really good post but many on here are sceptical for very good reason based on the huge cuts that have taken place across the board in recent years leading to gaps in key capabilities.
I will respectfully disagree about the lack of recruits because that was not the case until at least 2010 and that dreaded SDR. The Navy decided and not the Corps to swap 300 Bootnecks for matelots to help crew the carriers. This coupled with poor pay and conditions has led to poor recruitment and retention that has effected all parts of the armed forces not just the RM.
That the Corps is evolving is great but that should not be at the expense of capabilities that still have a useful purpose for an island nation and I like many remain unconvinced loosing the LPDs without any foreseeable replacement is a sensible defence policy decision. That it might suit HM Treasury and the Corps is stuck with it is more the truth and no amount of MOD spin will convince many on here otherwise.
That many nations other than the US, utilise and are investing in amphibious shipping reinforces the argument that this is driven by bean counters and is not the passing of obsolete equipment as our Defence Secretary stated.
With friends and family having served and currently in the Corps I will remain a staunch advocate and supporter of the RMs.
All the best
Hi Daniele,
I’m broadly in agreement with you here. I did an exercise with a detachments of RM a little bit ago, they where really good at the light infantry stuff, but didn’t really have much of a SOF skill set, so ended up being held in reserve until a position needed assaulting. Goes without saying that they where good at that. Really the RM should have remained a light Brigade, capable of Brigade ops, rather than the sort of Not quite Fish, not quite Fowl thing they’ve become. But I’ve said that before, and I think we mostly agree on our view of the corps (minus some cost saving things I believe in).
Hi mate.
Very much so.
Was this what you were waiting for? Get on with it and invade France to destroy the Pretend Asylum Boats before they launch or turn them round before they land!
In !943-1944 my Mum was clued up with this stuff as a Wren she was on the Royal Marines, then the Fighting French, then a writer on the Whole Shebang HQ Desk.
What’s your dad called — 42 Commando?
#SheBang
Probably!
Spoken like a true bean counter, how many time do we have to re-invent the wheel.
LPD’s and LPH’s are some of the most versatile vessels afloat today and 47 Cdo was re-formed so that the RM would have a good number of well trained Coxswains to man all our landing craft both ridged and inflatable so that units like 40, 42 and 45 Cdo’s would have good reliable crews at hand so that they could get ashore in large or small numbers depending on the task at hand.
All the vessels of the current RN and RFA are capable of delivering a small number of personnel ashore and we have been dropping boats along with their crews out of aircraft since the 2nd WW but if you are to take control of an area of hostile land you will need some kind of LPD or LPH to help support the landing.
To try and make excuses for downsizing the RM and its ability do deploy any were in the world is just doing the politicians work for them who have zero understanding of what 99% of the armed forces actually do, apart from the band’s and the Guards who stand out side Buckingham Palace, the armed forces are seen as a non essential money pit.
That was an excellent post by matter obviously inside information there we may not like losing the ships etc but it explains the directions of the RMs and thankfully they will remain vital to the security of the UK!
Well done to all who have qualified.