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JANUARY 2001
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Trials and triumphs of the pioneers Submarine century Part 1 inside
COMMANDO ONITS Royal Marines face biggest shake-up for almost 50 years BRITAIN'S three Royal Marines Commando units are undergoing the first major change in their structure for almost half a century. The •
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the introduction of a fourth fighting company in each Commando, as well as Logistic Support and Command Companies, will have a profound effect on the way in which all Royal Marines deliver combat power in operational units. Under the title 'Commando 21' with a specially designed logo to match - the reorganisation is the result of a threeyear study in the light of lessons learned from previous operations and taking in operational analysis by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. The scheme was completed in close consultation with the Infantry Directorate which has conducted similar studies of the infantry battle group. Its introduction is being matched by a range of new equipment which has either already entered service or soon will. Present structure of the Commandos and other light
infantry units is based on their prim»i r\/ use nec tc\ conduct r*ii'ni\\\ft rw^ei t ir\nji 1 mary to positional defence on key terrain while armoured formations and tactical air power strike the decisive blow. But since the end of the Cold War changes in global security and Government policy have led to the use of British Forces on operations for which originally they were not designed. Increasing pressure on the way the Royal Marines do their business has come with recent developments in doctrine, an increasing commitment to peacesupport operations and a growing emphasis on force protection. In response, the Naval Service has developed the concept of 'Maritime Contribution to Joint Operations' intended to harness the characteristics and capabilities of Britain's maritime forces to support a land campaign. That doctrine is manifest in the Amphibious Ready Group which is capable of expeditionary operations, and whose most recent use was in Sierra Leone in November. The Commandos' new Command Company will be responsible for command, control, 1
communications, computation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance - known in the business as C4ISR. The Logistic Support Company will manage administrative and logistic activity, while the creation of a fourth fighting company will give each Commando two close• Turn to page 2
West Africa mission at the double
THIS RARE shot by LA(PHOT) Darren Casey is bound to induce a double-take. It shows tanker RFA Bayleaf topping-up her sister-ship, RFA Brambleleaf, to starboard, off Sierra Leone. Bayleaf had been a member of Naval Task Group 2000 and was returning with them from their world voyage when she was redeployed to help out with the Amphibious Ready Group which had been sent to West Africa following a request for help from the United Nations. Both ships arrived home in late November, just two of the many Royal Navy vessels ending long deployments before Christmas (see our centre pages).
MARINES GET SET FOR PACIFIC ADVENTURE p21 • NEW TRIUMPH FOR NAVY COOKS p37 | SPORT p42-3