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'Loyal and Royal' - special 4-page supplement
MARINES FIGHT TERROR
ROYAL Marines of 45 Commando are to go into Afghanistan to help mop up remaining Al Qaeda terrorists and Taliban resistance, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced.
Lead elements of the force - HQ Company and Whisky and Zulu Companies - are already in the region in HMS Ocean, which took over from HMS Illustrious and HMS Fearless, in which 40 Cdo was embarked, last month. They will be joined by other elements of the main Commando group which are preparing to deploy from their base at RM Condor in Arbroath. Also included are 7 Battery of 29 Cdo Regiment, Royal Artillery, from Plymouth, 59 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers, and elements of the Commando Logistics Regiment, both from Chivenor. Mr Hoon told the House of Commons that the threat from Al Qaeda and Taliban forces remained high - both inside Afghanistan and against states overseas, including the UK. "The United States has formally requested that the UK provide forces to join in future military operations against other remnants of Al Qaeda and the Taliban elsewhere in Afghanistan," said Mr Hoon. "I have, therefore, authorised the deployment to Afghanistan of a full UK infantry battlegroup, built around 45 Commando, Royal Marines. This group will join a US-led brigade - forming a potent force ready to undertake such operations. "This is a powerful force, in total up to 1,700 strong. We will ensure that it is ready to take part in operations as quickly as possible. "The force will go initially to Bagram, with the first members of 45 Commando Group on the ground
within days, and ready to commence offensive operations by mid-April." A further three Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron RAF, based at Odiham in Hampshire, will be sent to the area to support the Commando group. Mr Hoon said that the decision to send the group into battle - the largest military deployment for combat operations since the Gulf War - was not a decision which was taken lightly. "It is important that the House is under no illusions about what this might mean," he said. "These troops are being deployed to Afghanistan to take part in war-fighting operations. We will be asking them to risk their lives. "Their missions will be conducted in unforgiving and hostile terrain against a dangerous enemy. They may suffer casualties." Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce said of the deployment: "It is envisaged that our forces will be operating as part of a US brigade (alongside US and Canadian battlegroups) and participating in a rolling series of operations. "I know that the US Commander in theatre values the capabilities that the Commando will bring to bear."
• Mne Neil Curry (23) leads Mne Sam Slattery (18) of 40 Commando Royal Marines on security patrol at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Picture - Cpl Mark Ballantyne, RLC
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BRITAIN'S 'PIVOTAL ROLE' IN WAR ON TERRORISM - p23