Themes
Conflict and Change
Learning
Falklands and Beyond: Royal Marines
Conflict, change and the Royal Marines, Falklands and Beyond
For the Royal Marines the Falklands War in 1982 provided the Corps with the much-needed recognition of the important role it played within the UK’s defence structure.
As a result of the Falklands the Corps made a number of changes in order to optimise the capabilities of the Royal Marines during amphibious operations.
Part of this included the formation of 539 Assault Squadron RM on 1 April 1984 to provide the Commandos with landing craft and raiding craft support.
With the end of the Cold War British defence policy put a greater emphasis on smaller, highly mobile military units ready to deploy at short notice, which suited the structure and operations of the Corps.
In 1993 the Corps Headquarters integrated with the Royal Navy with the Commandant General assuming the rank of Major General. This put him under direct command of the Commander in Chief of the Fleet.
Two years later, the Landing Platform Helicopter HMS Ocean, entered the service in order to provide the Royal Marines with an increased amphibious capability.
During the war in the Former Yugoslavia elements of 3 Commando Brigade Headquarters formed part of the UN Rapid Reaction Force Headquarters.
They played a key role in the planning of air strikes against the Bosnian Serb Army, leading to the end of the conflict.
In 1999 3 Commando Brigade joined the national Joint Rapid Reaction Force. Elements of Commando Brigade HQ, supported by its Signal Squadron and a Royal Marines Band, assumed command of the Multi-National Brigade in Kosovo, Serbia.
