539 Raiding Squadron RM

539 Raiding Squadron Royal Marines (RM) is 3 Commando Brigade's integral amphibious movement capability, delivering them on to land from water and patrolling waterways. It also contains the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group operating the Viking BvS10 All Terrain Amphibious Armoured Vehicle. They are based in the new Royal Marines Tamar complex at the northern end of HMNB Devonport.[1]

539 Raiding Squadron Royal Marines
Cap Badge of the Royal Marines
Active1984-Present
Country United Kingdom
BranchNaval Service
TypeMarines
Commando
Light infantry
RoleAmphibious support
Size~ 100 men
Part of47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines
Garrison/HQRM Tamar, Plymouth
Nickname(s)The Royals
HM Jollies
Bootnecks
The Royal Machines
Motto(s)Per Mare Per Terram (By Sea By Land) (Latin)
MarchQuick - A Life on the Ocean Wave
Slow - Preobrajensky
Commanders
Captain-GeneralThe Duke of Sussex
Commanding OfficerLieutenant Colonel Tristan Harris

History

539 ASRM was formed on 2 April 1984 and commissioned operational on 24 July 1984. This was in direct response to lessons learned during the Falklands Conflict in 1982.[2] More recent operations include Operation Telic. 539 ASRM supported 3 Cdo Bde as they took the Al-Faw Peninsula, carrying out numerous operations such as several landings and the clearing of various waterways. 539 ASRM continued to operate in Iraq, performing security patrols of Iraq's southern ports and water networks until the end of Operation Telic.[3] In July 2011 a landing craft from RFA Cardigan Bay landed two Vikings and Royal Marines of 539 Assault Squadron in Somaliland. They penetrated several miles of "bandit country" to meet up with an important clan chief and take him back to Cardigan Bay for a meeting with MI6 and Foreign Office officials. This was part of Exercise Somaliland Cougar, an operation to train Somali coastguards in anti-piracy techniques and to establish relationships with tribal leaders.[4]

Today the Squadron consists of over 100 personnel and is equipped with a variety of Landing Craft including Hovercraft (LCAC(L)), Rigid Raiders and Landing Craft Vehicle/Personnel. 539 Assault Squadron is named after the famous 539 Assault Flotilla which landed on Gold Beach during the Invasion of Normandy.[5]

On 5 November 2019 the unit was renamed 539 Raiding Squadron RM.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Royal Marines raiders swarm up the Tamar to new £30m home". Navy News. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  2. "539 Assault Squadron RM". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  3. "539 Assault Squadron". Elite UK Forces. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. "Royal Navy's Cougar 11 deployment returns". Ministry of Defence. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  5. "Marines on anniversary parade". BBC. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  6. "Royal Marines Assault Group Renamed". Forces Network. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
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