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This light infantry unit is made up of some of the toughest marines in the Royal Navy. From scorching deserts to the Arctic tundra, the elite troops of 40 Commando wear the Green Beret with pride wherever they’re deployed.
As a specialist commando unit, 40 Commando’s marines undertake a wide variety of operational tasks. Together, their roles and responsibilities include:
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Trained for rapid worldwide deployment, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
The unit are at the forefront of innovation as commandos go back to their roots as raiders from the sea and embrace new technologies to help their specialised operations around the world.
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Formed in 1942, from A Commando, 40 Commando was the first RM Commando Unit. It saw early action during the raid on Dieppe in August of that year.
From 1943 to 1945 the Commando was involved in the Italian Campaign, at Termoli, Lake Comacchio and Yugoslavia.
Following the Second World War the Commando was deeply involved in Palestine, acting as the rearguard in the Protectorate before leaving in 1948.
40 Commando moved to Singapore in 1961, where it was involved in operations during the confrontation with Indonesia throughout the following decade
Over the next decade, the Commando found itself deployed to Northern Ireland four times. They also undertook an unexpected two-month tour in Cyprus after the invasion by the Turkish Army.
40 Commando deployed on Operation Corporate. On 21 May, troops from 40 Commando were among the first troops ashore, securing the beachhead at San Carlos.
The Eighties saw two tours in Northern Ireland to South Armagh, a six-month peacekeeping tour in Cyprus and a six-month operational tour in Belize.
40 Commando relocated from Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset
In 1991 the Unit deployed to Northern Iraq to ensure the security of Kurdish refugees, followed by Northern Ireland tours, Norway winter deployments and a major Asia-Pacific Exercise.
In 1998 a substantial part of the Commando deployed to the Congo to ensure the safe evacuation of UK nationals from Kinshasa City.
The new millennium saw the Commando deployed to Northern Ireland. On their return they were the first Commando to reorganise under a new structural concept called Commando 21
The Unit deployed in its entirety in January 2003 in HMS Ocean, Ark Royal and RFA's Sir Galahad and Tristram. The group sailed through the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal bound for the Gulf.
On 20 March the unit mounted an amphibious helicopter assault on the Al Faw peninsula in Iraq. As the first conventional troops on the ground, the strategic significance of the operation was immense.
In 2004 the Unit returned to Iraq as part of a multi-national division peace-support operation maintaining the security of the country's infrastructure .
The Unit conducted a series of amphibious deployments including large joint exercises in both Senegal in autumn 2005 and Sierra Leone in 2006.
40 Commando deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, where it continued the work of British forces and our multi-national partners to stabilise the country.
40 Commando spearheaded UK disaster relief operations in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
The unit led the Royal Navy’s involvement in Oman in the UK’s largest joint military exercise since 2002.
40 Cdo drove the Royal Marines Future Commando Force experimentation efforts by trialling kit as well as concepts. The unit deployed in exercise to Arctic, jungle, mountain and desert environments.
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Courage. Determination. Selflessness. These are the qualities that make the Royal Marines the world’s most renowned commando force.
The UK has to be ready to protect its interests and its allies. This is where the Royal Navy comes in: we train to go where we’re needed, by sea, land or air.
The UK has a responsibility to its citizens and its allies to endeavour to safeguard the high seas. This is why the Royal Navy protects home and international waters.
