Role
The unit of 40 Commando 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.
Organisation / Units & Squadrons
40 Commando
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.
Capability
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Trained for worldwide deployment at a moment's notice, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
Trained for worldwide deployment at a moment's notice, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
Crew
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Denning, 40 Commando’s marines undertake a wide variety of operational tasks. Together, their roles and responsibilities include:
- Rapid reaction
- Amphibious warfare
- Arctic warfare
- Mountain warfare
- Expeditionary warfare
- Humanitarian support
- Disaster relief
Unit history
1942
Unit formation
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.
1942
Unit formation
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.
1943
Italy - Yugoslavia
From 1943 to 1945 the Commando was involved in the Italian Campaign, at Termoli, Lake Comacchio and Yugoslavia.
1943
Italy - Yugoslavia
From 1943 to 1945 the Commando was involved in the Italian Campaign, at Termoli, Lake Comacchio and Yugoslavia.
1946
Palestine
Following the Second World War the Commando was deeply involved in Palestine, acting as the rearguard in the Protectorate before leaving in 1948.
1946
Palestine
Following the Second World War the Commando was deeply involved in Palestine, acting as the rearguard in the Protectorate before leaving in 1948.
1961
Singapore
40 Commando moved to Singapore in 1961, where it was involved in operations during the confrontation with Indonesia throughout the following decade
1961
Singapore
40 Commando moved to Singapore in 1961, where it was involved in operations during the confrontation with Indonesia throughout the following decade
1971
Northern Ireland
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.
1971
Northern Ireland
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.
1982
Falkland Islands
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.
1982
Falkland Islands
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.
1983
A new home
40 Commando relocated from Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset
1983
A new home
40 Commando relocated from Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset
1983
A new home
40 Commando relocated from Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset
1983
A new home
40 Commando relocated from Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to Norton Manor Camp near Taunton, Somerset
1991
The Nineties
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.
1991
The Nineties
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.
1998
Congo
In 1998 a substantial part of the Commando deployed to the Congo to ensure the safe evacuation of UK nationals from Kinshasa City.
1998
Congo
In 1998 a substantial part of the Commando deployed to the Congo to ensure the safe evacuation of UK nationals from Kinshasa City.
2000
The new millennium
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
2000
The new millennium
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
2003
Operation Telic
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.
2003
Operation Telic
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.
2003
Operation Telic
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.
2003
Operation Telic
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.
2004
Iraq
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 .
2004
Iraq
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 .
2005
2005-06
The Unit conducted a series of amphibious deployments including large joint exercises in both Senegal in autumn 2005 and Sierra Leone in 2006.
2005
2005-06
The Unit conducted a series of amphibious deployments including large joint exercises in both Senegal in autumn 2005 and Sierra Leone in 2006.
2012
Operation Herrick
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.
2012
Operation Herrick
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.
2017
OP Ruman
40 Commando spearheaded UK disaster relief operations in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
2017
OP Ruman
40 Commando spearheaded UK disaster relief operations in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
2018
Ex Saif Sareea 3
The unit led the Royal Navy’s involvement in Oman in the UK’s largest joint military exercise since 2002.
2018
Ex Saif Sareea 3
The unit led the Royal Navy’s involvement in Oman in the UK’s largest joint military exercise since 2002.
2019
FCF Experimentation
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.
2019
FCF Experimentation
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.
Follow 40 Commando on X
@40commando
Join the Royal Marines
It's a state of mind. Find out if you have it.