Commando Logistic Regiment

Last updated
Commando Logistic Regiment
RoyalMarineBadge.svg
Cap Badge of the Royal Marines
Active1971–present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
British Army
Royal Air Force
Royal Marines
Type Commando
RoleCombat Service Support
SizeRegiment
780 personnel [1]
Part of Naval Service
Garrison/HQ RMB Chivenor
Engagements Falklands War
Operation Telic
Operation Herrick 5
Operation Herrick 9
Operation Herrick 14
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col Rob Jones RM

The role of the Commando Logistic Regiment (CLR), Royal Marines is to provide second line Combat Service Support to 3 Commando Brigade.

Contents

It is 3 Commando Brigade's dedicated logistic unit and provides all second line Combat Service Support to the force, supporting it with a constant re-supply chain from initial assault to the final phase of any operation. CLR is unique in that it is able to provide essential supplies for front-line Commando units for the initial 30 days of any operation by the transfer of stores from ship to shore – making it totally self-sufficient.

"A formation's combat capability is defined by its ability to support itself logistically on operations. The organised control, distribution and availability of material will directly influence the Commander's ability to achieve his objective."

Personnel

Personnel are mainly drawn from the Royal Navy, but include some from the Army all have the opportunity to pass the All Arms Commando Course whilst serving with the regiment. Royal Marines Band Service members also serve with the regiment in their secondary operational roles.

Organisation

Based at RM Chivenor in North Devon, the Commando Logistic Regiment role is to ensure the re-supply of ammunition, water, fuel and food, known as "combat supplies" to the ground forces, and provide specialist services to sustain the brigade's operations. The regiment is divided into Squadrons:

Headquarters Squadron (HQ Sqn) is the biggest and most diverse Squadron within the regiment. When fully manned, it has just over 200 personnel spanning 8 departments. Its primary role is to co-ordinate the command and control function of logistic distribution, relaying stores information by computer from ship to shore and collating field requirements from forward units and assessing their priority of order for delivery or recovery. The Squadron is also responsible for providing what is termed 'first line' or initial support to the Regiment. [2]

The Equipment Support Squadron provides the second line repair and recovery for all the equipment used by 3 Commando Brigade. The repair of equipment can range from a rifle through to the replacement of entire engines systems. While the Squadron is primarily manned by Royal Marines, it also contains some Army personnel, from trades such as Vehicle Mechanics, Armourers and Metalsmiths. Operating in small teams, these personnel are trained to repair and recover all vehicles used by the Brigade. The Squadron ensures that vehicles are repaired as close to the front line as possible, in order that they can be returned to the battle quickly and efficiently. [3]

The Squadron is composed of a headquarters and three Troops made up from a combination of Royal Marines and the Army's Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) personnel. The squadron's role is to provide 3 Commando Brigade with 2nd line logistic support that includes transport, stores and bulk fuel. Technical Troop holds 60 days of fast moving, technical and general spares and has the ability to deploy airportable, Advance Ordnance Detachments (AODs). Petroleum Troop operates Truck Transporters Fuel (TTF). They have the ability to work from 'Ship-to-Shore' with various specialist equipment and have the responsibility for the installation of Bulk Fuel Installations (BFIs). Transport Troop uses Demountable Rack Offload Pickup System (DROPS) vehicles to provide the lift needed to supply combat supplies, artillery ammunition and engineering equipment. [4] [5]

The Medical Squadron provides flexible, emergency medical and surgical support to 3 Commando Brigade on operations around the world. Manned by Royal Navy Medical Assistants (MAs), Naval Nurses (NNs), Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) and Royal Marines Commandos, the Medical Squadron, comprises a headquarters and two Commando Forward Surgical Groups, CFSGs. Each one of these is configured to deploy forward to allow Damage Control Surgery, saving life and limb, to be performed within two hours of troops being injured. The squadron is still restructuring itself following Operation TELIC in order to be better able to provide a versatile, modular, rapidly deployable and effective medical facility. Each CFSG consists of Medical Sections, an 'A&E department', FSTs, an 'operating theatre', EVAC sections, a recovery ward and patient care for up to six hours, and Ambulance sections. [6]

VIKING Squadron (VS) is a dedicated Royal Marine sub-unit of the Commando Logistic Regiment (CLR) based in Chivenor, N Devon. Made up largely of Royal Marines Armoured Support specialists, the Squadron's role is to provide Protected Mobility and intimate tactical support to 3 Commando Brigade RM. The specialisation is formed into a Squadron of four independent VIKING Troops to support fast moving, lightly armoured expeditionary warfare for the Lead Commando Group. A VIKING Troop consists of 16 VIKING ATVs and can be augmented by mortar and fire support sections. In addition to the four deployable Troops, the Squadron has its own Trials & Training Wing and a Support Troop with Vehicle Mechanics, Signallers, Stores Accountants and Clerical Staff. [7]

This Squadron is organised and tailored to support designated tasks. It would be landed immediately after the ground troops during the initial stage of an amphibious operation. It provides control of beach and landing support areas and specific Combat Service Support to the Landing Force. When the remainder of the Commando Logistic Regiment is landed, the LFSS is subsumed into the Regiment's functional areas. Should the distance between the Regiment and ground troops become extended, the LFSS would be deployed forward to once again provide intimate support. [8]

On 1 December 2009, the Logistic Task Group was formed. It is capable of deploying worldwide in less than five days. The Logistic Task Group, or 'LTG' for short, is part of the United Kingdom’s ‘Small Scale Contingent Battlegroup’. The LTG will provide immediate sustainment to the Battlegroup wherever they are deployed; enabling equipment repair and recovery, logistic supply and distribution and above all, medical support. Designed carefully to complement the Battlegroup’s organic logistic capabilities, the LTG will enable extra reach and endurance demanded by global operations. Forged together since September 2009, and exercised extensively on Exercise Orange Marauder in November, the team achieved a well earned endorsement and validation by the United Kingdom’s Permanent Joint Headquarters and Chief of Joint Operations. From the frozen arctic tundra or tropical desert hinterland through to arid desert plains, the LTG is now ready to launch wherever and whenever needed. [9]

383 Commando Petroleum Troop of the Royal Logistic Corps is responsible for the handling, supply and storage of bulk fuels from ship to shore and under front line combat conditions. It is a Commando unit and all its members must pass the All Arms Commando Course in order to serve with their Regular counterparts in the Commando Logistic Regiment in 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. [10]

Memorial plaque to the Commando Logistic Regiment at Ajax Bay Placa conmemorativa al comando logistico britanico.jpg
Memorial plaque to the Commando Logistic Regiment at Ajax Bay

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Marines</span> Marines of the United Kingdom

The Royal Marines, also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, and officially as the Corps of His Majesty's Royal Marines, are the United Kingdom's amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, and provide a company strength unit to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). The Royal Marines trace their origins back to the formation of the "Duke of York and Albany's maritime regiment of Foot" on 28 October 1664, and the first Royal Marines Commando unit was formed at Deal in Kent on 14 February 1942 and designated 'The Royal Marine Commando'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battalion</span> Military unit size designation

A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of three hundred to one thousand soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel and subdivided into a number of companies, each typically commanded by a major or a captain. The typical battalion is built from three operational companies, one weapons company and one headquarters company. In some countries, battalions are exclusively infantry, while in others battalions are unit-level organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regiment</span> Military unit

A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service, or specialisation.

This is the Operation Telic order of battle, which lists the British forces that took part in Operation Telic, including

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherlands Marine Corps</span> Royal Dutch Navy component

The Netherlands Marine Corps is the elite naval infantry corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy, one of the four Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The marines trace their origins to the establishment of the Regiment de Marine on 10 December 1665, by the then grand pensionary of the Dutch Republic, Johan de Witt and famous Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. It is the second-oldest still-active marine corps in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RM Chivenor</span> Military base in Devon, England

Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by 3 Commando Brigade. It is situated on the northern shore of the River Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the north coast of Devon, England. The nearest towns are Barnstaple and Braunton.

Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) groups the tasks of reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition conducted by the Department of Defense. RSTA supports military operations at a strategic, operational, or tactical level, either by dedicated RSTA forces or those which possess the capability.

Multi-National Division (South-East) was a British commanded military division responsible for security in the south east of Iraq from 2003 to 2009. It was responsible for the large city of Basra and its headquarters were located at Basra Airport. The division was initially responsible for the governorates of Al Muthanna, Maysan, Basra, and Dhi Qar. MND-SE was a subordinate division of Multi-National Corps Iraq. Multi-National Corps Iraq was itself part of Multi-National Force-Iraq.

This is the Operation Herrick ground order of battle, which lists any British ground forces that have taken part in the duration of Operation Herrick between 2002 and 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">75th Cavalry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry squadron established in 2004. It is the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron (RSTA) squadron of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Strike" ♥, 101st Airborne Division. It performs reconnaissance and cavalry missions in support of that brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British logistics in the Falklands War</span> 1982 combat service support operations

The 1982 British military campaign to recapture the Falkland Islands depended on complex logistical arrangements. The logistical difficulties of operating 7,000 nautical miles from home were formidable. The Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands came at a time when the Royal Navy was experiencing a reduction in its amphibious capability, but it still possessed the aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and Invincible, the landing platform dock (LPD) ships HMS Fearless and Intrepid, and six landing ship logistics (LSL) ships. To provide the necessary logistic support, the Royal Navy's ships were augmented by ships taken up from trade (STUFT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">15 Air Assault Support Squadron RLC</span> Military unit

15 Air Assault Support Squadron is a British Army logistic squadron, currently under 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers</span> Military unit

131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers is an Army Reserve unit and part of 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers. It provides engineering support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and is the largest Army Reserve Commando unit. The squadron has deployed worldwide to provide combat engineer support to 3 Cdo Bde RM, often deploying in small sub-units. 131 was first raised in 1947 as an airborne engineer regiment, and reached a strength of over 1,000 trained parachute engineers by the early 1960s. Between 1 April 1978 and 1 October 2015, the unit was an independent Commando squadron under operational command of HQ 3 Cdo Bde RM. On 2 October 2015, it formally became the third squadron of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.

United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">30 Commando Information Exploitation Group</span> Battalion sized formation of the Royal Marines

30 Commando Information Exploitation Group RM, or 30 Commando (IX) Group, is a battalion-sized unit of the Royal Marines and forms part of 3 Commando Brigade. The unit resources include communications, information operations, information systems, intelligence, surveillance, and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).

In 2009, the United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition, along with Afghan National Army forces, continued military operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan. 2009 marks the eighth year of the War in Afghanistan, which began late in 2001. And 75th ranger regiment is also in Afghanistan as of 2018

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Dwyer</span> US military installation in Afghanistan

Camp Dwyer was a military camp formerly of the United States Marine Corps located within the Helmand River Valley southwest of Garmsir in Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the British Army</span> Organisation of the British Army

The page contains the current structure of the British Army. The British Army is currently being reorganised to the Future Soldier structure.

Future Soldier is a reform of the British Army resulting from the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy published in March 2021. The aim of the reform is to create a more lethal, agile and expeditionary force, able to fight and win wars and to operate in the grey-zone between peace and war. Future Soldier was published on 25 November 2021 and deals with the organizational changes of the British Army, with changes to personnel and equipment were set out in the Defence in a Competitive Age paper published on 22 March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers</span> Specialist reserve engineer unit of the British Army

299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers is a specialist field engineer squadron of the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers and the only reserve parachute unit of the corps. Formed in 1947 as an airborne field squadron, 299 Para Sqn would see many reorganisations and new roles, until 2006 when it took on the parachute role it maintains today. As of 2021, it is the only reserve parachute-trained squadron of the Royal Engineers.

References

  1. "Commando Logistic Regiment" . Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. "Headquarters Squadron" (PDF). Marine Society and Sea Cadet Marine Cadet Section. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  3. "RMB Chivenor¦Travelodge¦Commando Logistic Regiment – North Devon Journal". North Devon Journal. Retrieved 17 April 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. "Logistic Support Squadron Visit". Royal Logistic Corps. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  5. "Commando Logistic Support Squadron". army.mod.uk. British Army. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. "Commando Logistic Regiment receives Afghanistan medals" . Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  7. "Duke to honour returning troops". Royal Marines Viking Squadron. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  8. "Duke to honour returning troops". North Devon Journal. Retrieved 17 April 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. "Marines go back to their roots". North Devon Journal. Retrieved 17 April 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "383 Commando Petroleum Troop". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 17 April 2016.