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Attached Army Units Under Command of 3 Commando Brigade
Former WO1(GSM) Peter Padley MBE
1st Battalion, The Rifles (1 Rifles) 1Bn The Rifles came under command of 3 Commando Brigade in April 2008. The Battalion was formed in 2007 by the amalgamation of 1st Bn the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry and the 1st Bn The Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry. The addition of 1 Rifles to 3 Cdo Bde will add a 4th unit to the Brigade complementing 40, 42 and 45 Commando RM thus providing a more flexible and agile force.
It is anticipated that over a period of time soldiers from 1 Rifles will volunteer to complete the All Arms Commando Course, which on successful completion will allow them to wear the coveted Green Beret. Total integration into 3 Commando Brigade by the completion of specialist amphibious training is expected by 2010. When not deployed 1 Rifles are located at Chepstow.
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery (29 CDO RA)
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery was formed in 1961 with the specific purpose of providing artillery support to the units of 3 Commando Brigade. The Regiment has 3 Gun Batteries equipped with 6 105mm Light Guns, 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty and 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty. When required The Guns and their teams can be airlifted by helicopter to locations where they can fire in support of Commando units.
The Regiment has a 4th Battery, 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty, which is dedicated to Forward Observation and Naval Gunfire Support. The Battery is located at Royal Marines Poole in Dorset. In Members of Forward Observation and Naval Gunfire Teams are required to work either close to, or behind, enemy lines and as such are trained to have the ability to patrol in all terrains and climates and recognise all types of armoured fighting vehicles and aircraft. Each team has an integral medical capability and every member is trained in survival skills and resistance to interrogation.
148 Battery is unique in that it contains both Army and Naval personnel working alongside each other that can be deployed into operational areas either on foot or ski’s, by parachute, helicopter, boat, submarine or vehicle. 29 Commando Regiment also has a fully integrated workshop staffed by members of The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). It is the responsibility of the workshop to ensure that all Regimental equipment is returned to its serviceable state as quickly as possible in order that the Regiment can fulfill its mission. Virtually all members of The Regiment will have completed the All Arms Commando Course and are entitled to wear the coveted Green Beret. With the exception of 148 Battery, 29 Commando Regiment is located at The Royal Citadel, Plymouth.
24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers (24 CDO REGT RE)
The Regiment is a relatively new addition to 3 Commando Brigade, only coming under command of the Brigade in April 2008. It will not be a fully formed Engineer Regiment until 2010. It will use the existing Commando trained Royal Engineer elements of 59 Independent Commando Squadron and 131 Independent Commando Squadron (Volunteers) to form the nucleus of The Regiment.
The Regiment, optimised as an amphibious formation, will eventually have three Squadrons with a manpower establishment of approximately 550 officer and soldiers. The task of The Regiment will be to provide engineer support to 3 Commando Brigade in all climatic conditions and it is anticipated that all personnel will complete the All Arms Commando Course and be entitled to wear the coveted Green Beret.
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