1 Assault Group Royal Marines (
1AGRM) provides the
Royal Marines expertise in
small boat operations in support of
littoral operations, both
amphibious and
riverine activities. It is based at
Royal Marines Poole in
Poole,
Dorset.
Squadrons
1 Assault Group Royal Marines comprises a number of individual squadrons:
- 4 Assault Squadron RM providing landing craft support to HMS Bulwark. This unit is commanded by Lt-Col Nick Bentham-Green as of 2008.
- 6 Assault Squadron RM providing landing craft support to HMS Albion
- 9 Assault Squadron RM providing landing craft support to HMS Ocean
- 10 Landing Craft Training Squadron
- 11 Amphibious Test and Trials Squadron RM based at Royal Marines Instow, Devon
1 AGRM has its Headquarters in Devonport Naval Base Plymouth. The training and expertise for 539 Assault Squadron RM, is based in
Turnchapel in
Plymouth, which provides
landing craft amphibious and riverine capability to
3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. 539 Assault Squadron is named after the famous 539 Assault Flotilla which landed on Gold Beach during the
Invasion of Normandy.
Individual squadrons are commanded by a
Major and are variously equipped with vessels including
hovercraft (LCAC),
Rigid Raider motor boats, inflatable raiding craft and landing craft.
Training
10 Landing Craft Training Squadron provide training accredited by the
Royal Yachting Association for candidates to the landing craft specialisation. This training is delivered at various stages in the individual's career:
- LC3 at entry to the specialisation as a Marine
Landing Craft Officer Qualifying course (LCOQ) is delivered to
subalterns who opt to join the landing craft specialisation and prepares them for command of troops within the various squadrons or positions on the staff of
Commander-in-Chief Fleet or
3 Commando Brigade.
Additional Training Courses
10 LC Training Squadron also conduct other training tasks.
- Small boat training for the Royal Navy, Army, Police and Customs.
- Engineering and navigation training for the Assault Squadrons
- Surface Manoeuvre expertise to the wider amphibious community.
See also
