The 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (43 Cdo FP Gp RM),[5] formerly Comacchio Company Royal Marines (1980–1983), Comacchio Group Royal Marines (1983–2001) and Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (2001–2012), is a 550-man unit of the Royal Marines responsible for guarding the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons. The unit, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, is part of UK Commando Force.
It inherited the traditions and battle honours of the Second World War No. 43 (Royal Marine) Commandos.
History
Second World War
Early Commando units were all from the British Army. In February 1942, the Royal Marines were asked to organize Commando units of their own, and 6,000 men volunteered.[6]
In July 1943, 43 Commando was formed, after the conversion of the battalions of the Royal Marine Division into commando units.[7] The initial intake of personnel was drawn from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines.[8] Following commando training at Achnacarry in Scotland, the unit consisted of about 450 men organized into a headquarters, five infantrytroops consisting of three officers and 63 other ranks, along with a heavy weapons troop—armed with Vickers machine guns, 3-inch mortars and 6-pounder anti-tank guns—and a signals platoon.[9][10]
In 1961, 43 Commando RM was reformed at Stonehouse Barracks "as a further contribution to the forces available for seaborne operations".[15][16] The unit was disbanded again in 1968.[15]
Comacchio Company
On 1 May 1980, the Comacchio Company Royal Marines was formed - taking its name from the battle honour "Comacchio, Italy 1945", where Hunter posthumously received the Victoria Cross for his actions.[17] On its formation, Comacchio Company took on the colours and traditions of the then-defunct 43 Commando.[18] The company's purpose was to guard the UK's Naval nuclear weapons and be a maritime counter-terrorism unit for offshore installations, including oil rigs and ships.[18] The company initially numbered around 424 personnel.[18]
In November 1983, the Comacchio Company RM became Comacchio Group RM.[18] In 1987, Comacchio Group ceased performing the maritime counter-terrorism role after a study transferred the task to the newly formed M-squadron of the Royal Marines Special Boat Service.[18]
In 2012, FPGRM formally adopted the name 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.[19]
In 2016, elements of the unit began using the Colt Canada C8 carbine instead of the standard L85A2.[20]
Commandos from 43 Commando regularly train with other forces both inside the UK and other nations including the US Marines.[21][22]
Tasks and organisation
The primary mission is to prevent unauthorised access to the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent through the provision of specialist military capability. Additionally, maritime boarding and sniper teams and the
very high readiness Fleet Contingent Troop are deployed world-wide to conduct specialist maritime security tasks in support of the Royal Navy.[23]
43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines is a Royal Marine Unit based at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland and is part of UK Commando Force, the UK's high readiness expeditionary amphibious force.[23]
As of 2016, 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines has over 550 personnel and is organised into several sub-units:[23]
Members of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines train using L119A1 carbines fitted with a CQB upper receiver.
Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group conducting an ‘Underway Boarding Exercise’ in conjunction with a local ferry, 2015.
Royal Navy Reserve Augmentation
Naval ratings of the Royal Naval Reserve have been attached to 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, to support the force protection tasks outside of the United Kingdom. This organisation was known as P Squadron. It was disbanded, with the force protection duties being transferred to the standing tasks commando unit, a duty which rotates annually between Commando units.[25]
