30 Commando Information Exploitation Group RM is a

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...

-sized unit of the

Royal Marines The Corps of Royal Marines (RM), also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, are the UK's special operations capable commando force, amphibious light infantry and also one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. The Corps of Royal Marine ...

and forms part of

3 Commando Brigade 3 Commando Brigade (3 Cdo Bde), previously called the 3rd Special Service Brigade, is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces. It is composed of the Royal Marine Commandos, alongside commando qualified sailors, soldiers and airmen f ...

. The unit resources include communications, information operations, information systems, intelligence,

surveillance Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as c ...

, and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (

ISTAR ISTAR stands for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. In its macroscopic sense, ISTAR is a practice that links several battlefield functions together to assist a combat force in employing its sensors and managing t ...

History

The group's title harks back to the original 30 Commando (which in turn became 30 Assault Unit RM), formed in 1942. This unit was tasked to move ahead of advancing Allied forces, or to undertake covert infiltrations into enemy territory by land, sea or air, to capture much needed intelligence, in the form of codes, documents, equipment or enemy personnel. In 2000, the United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group (UKLF CSG) was formed from 3 Commando Brigade's Headquarters and Signals Squadron. In March 2010, the UKLF CSG was renamed the 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group. In 2013, the group was granted the

freedom Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one's purposes unhindered. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving on ...

Littlehampton Littlehampton is a town, seaside resort, and pleasure harbour, and the most populous civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England. It lies on the English Channel on the eastern bank of the mouth of the River Arun. It is south sout ...

West Sussex West Sussex is a county in South East England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the shire districts of Adur, Arun, Chichester, Horsham, and Mid Sussex, and the boroughs of Crawley and Worthing. Covering an ar ...

, in honour of the original unit being based in the town during the Second World War.

Structure

Royal Marines Winter Deployment 2022 FLEET-20220217-AJ0001-144

Royal Marines master survival skills in the Arctic MOD 45169593

The group comprises: * Headquarters Squadron, including the Intelligence and Information Activities Cells * Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron **

Brigade Patrol Troop The Brigade Patrol Troop is a reconnaissance troop of the United Kingdom's Royal Marines and is part of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) within 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group. History The troop can trace its history ...

** Shore Reconnaissance Team * Y Squadron - Electronic Warfare ** Air Defence Troop - using

Starstreak Starstreak is a British short-range surface to air missile that can be used as a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) or in heavier systems, manufactured by Thales Air Defence (formerly Shorts Missile Systems), in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I ...

high-velocity missile * Information Activities Cell - Information Operations and Combat Camera Team (CCT) * Communications Squadron * Logistics Squadron ** Motor Transportation Troop ** Royal Marines Police Troop - protect key personnel such as visiting dignitaries and foreign officials. They also provide training and assistance to police forces around the world. ** Catering Troop ** Stores Troop ** Equipment Support Troop * Base Squadron - looks after Royal Marines Barracks Stonehouse, much of which was built in the 1700s. It is responsible for providing real-life support, such as dining facilities, accommodation, medical care, rehabilitation of injured personnel and physical training facilities.

References

External links

Official website30 Commando Assault Unit - Ian Fleming's 'Red Indians' - Literary James Bond's Wartime Unit
2000 establishments in the United Kingdom Royal Marine formations and units Military units and formations established in 2000 {{UK-navy-stub