Royal Marines: Afghanistan's Unsung Heroes

Royal Marines have been deployed to Afghanistan, with the 40 Commando unit being the first to serve in the country in 2001. The Royal Marine Corps has deployed units to Afghanistan 12 times, with many marines also deploying with other units. The last full Royal Marines commando group to serve in Afghanistan returned to the UK in 2013, marking the end of more than a decade of deployments in the country.

Royal Marines' role in Afghanistan

The Royal Marines played a significant role in the Afghanistan conflict, with the 7,200-strong Royal Marine Corps deploying units to the country 12 times over more than a decade of service. The 40 Commando unit was the first to be deployed in 2001, securing Bagram Airfield and patrolling the streets of Kabul. They also served in areas such as Sangin, Nahr-e Saraj, and Musa Qala. The Royal Marines worked alongside other UK forces and NATO allies as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The Royal Marines' mission in Afghanistan was challenging and often dangerous, with the unit facing heavy casualties. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), machine guns, and sniper fire were common threats. The unit also had to adapt to the Taliban's evolving tactics, including the use of more sophisticated IEDs and booby traps. The close-knit nature of the unit meant that the loss of each marine was deeply felt, and many returned home with physical and mental scars.

Despite the challenges, the Royal Marines made significant contributions to the mission in Afghanistan. They received recognition for their bravery and distinguished service, with over 200 honours awarded to the unit. They worked closely with the Afghan National Army and police forces, developing their capabilities and transferring security responsibilities. By the time the last group of Royal Marines returned to the UK in 2013, they had successfully improved security in the areas they operated in and handed over control to Afghan forces.

The Royal Marines' role in Afghanistan was a testament to their courage, resilience, and dedication to protecting their nation's interests. Their efforts, along with those of other UK and international forces, played a crucial part in the broader mission to stabilise the country, combat terrorism, and support the development of Afghanistan.

Royal Marines' departure from Afghanistan

The departure of the Royal Marines from Afghanistan marked the end of over a decade of deployments in the war-torn country. The last group of Royal Marines to serve in Afghanistan returned to the UK in April 2013, after more than 10 years of deployments. The 40 Commandos were the first Royal Marine unit to serve in Afghanistan, securing Bagram Airfield and patrolling the streets of Kabul in 2001.

The Royal Marines have been instrumental in the fight against terrorism and have made significant contributions to the security and stability of Afghanistan. They have received numerous honours and accolades for their bravery and distinguished service, including nearly 200 operational honours. The Marines have also suffered casualties, with many marines losing their lives or sustaining injuries during their deployments.

The last group of Royal Marines to serve in Afghanistan was the 40 Commando Royal Marines (40 Cdo), who lowered the Royal Navy's white ensign above their Main Operating Base (MOB) Price before departing. MOB Price, located in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province, was a key base for the Royal Marines during their deployments. The lowering of the ensign marked the end of an era, as it was the last time the flag would fly in the region.

The Royal Marines have worked closely with the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan police units, playing a crucial role in developing their capabilities and preparing them to take on security responsibilities. The Afghan forces trained by the UK personnel have been vital in ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists.

The departure of the Royal Marines from Afghanistan was part of the UK government's commitment to withdraw most of its troops from the country by the end of 2014. The UK ceased all combat operations in Afghanistan and withdrew its last combat troops in October 2014, transitioning to a focus on training and support as part of the NATO Resolute Support Mission.

Operation Herrick

The first British troops were deployed in November 2001, and by April 2002, there were 1,700 British soldiers working alongside other NATO allies. This number rose significantly in the coming years, with 10,000 troops deployed across Afghanistan by 2010.

In 2006, the UK moved into Helmand Province in the south, one of Afghanistan's most volatile regions. Camp Bastion was built in the desert to serve as a launchpad for thousands of British service personnel. It grew to the size of Reading, with a perimeter of over 20 miles, and was home to 40,000 people.

In 2010, the largest joint offensive of the conflict involved 15,000 British, American, and Afghan troops pushing the Taliban from their strongholds in central Helmand. Meanwhile, at the NATO Summit in Lisbon, a timetable was agreed upon to hand over security control from ISAF to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.

During Operation Herrick, British forces provided security and supported the new transitional government in Afghanistan. They also trained the Afghan National Army and police units to take on responsibility for security. The last full Royal Marines commando group to serve in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick returned to the UK in 2013.

In October 2014, Camp Bastion was handed over to Afghan forces, marking the end of the British combat operation. By the end of 2014, the UK had withdrawn the last of its combat troops, and British military operations shifted to focus on training as part of Operation Toral, the UK's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support Mission.

Operation Jacana

Operation Ptarmigan, which took place from 16-18 April 2002, involved a Royal Marine task force being deployed to Bagram Airbase to clear high mountain valleys southeast of Gardez, searching for Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces. They discovered and destroyed cave complexes containing ammunition and bunkers.

Operation Snipe, which began in May 2002, was a continuation of Operation Ptarmigan in Patika Province. 600 Royal Marines and 400 Afghan soldiers, supported by U.S. air power and special operations troops, discovered and destroyed a large arsenal of weapons and infrastructure belonging to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Operation Condor, which began on 17 May 2002, was launched after an incident in Patika province on 16 May, where an Australian SAS patrol came under fire from suspected Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. Coalition forces, including 500-800 Royal Marines, surrounded the Khost-Paktia region and conducted searches and sweeps of the area.

Operation Buzzard, which began on 28 or 29 May 2002, aimed to prevent the freedom of movement of Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces and deny them sanctuary. 45 to 300 British Marines from Taskforce Jacana and local Afghan soldiers conducted patrols and set up checkpoints in populated and rural areas. They discovered and destroyed caves and bunkers containing arms, ammunition, and supplies.

Overall, Operation Jacana demonstrated the absence of a large-scale presence of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the region, and it highlighted the need to disarm local militias. The Royal Marines encountered only trigger-happy Afghan militias and no signs of the terrorists they had been deployed to fight.

Royal Marines' experiences in Afghanistan

The Royal Marines have had a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, with the 40 Commando unit being the first to serve in the country in 2001. Over the years, the Royal Marine Corps has deployed its units to Afghanistan 12 times, with many marines also deploying as individuals attached to other units. The experiences of the Royal Marines in Afghanistan have been varied and challenging, with a focus on combat operations, counter-insurgency, and supporting the development of Afghan security forces.

In the early years of the conflict, the Royal Marines were involved in hunting the Taliban and al-Qaeda, with a particular focus on the Tora Bora mountain caves where Osama Bin Laden was believed to be hiding. They also conducted operations to clear high mountain valleys of Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, discovering and destroying their bunkers and cave complexes. During these operations, the Royal Marines worked closely with US, Australian, and Norwegian forces, as well as Afghan troops.

As the conflict progressed, the Royal Marines found themselves in intense fighting with the Taliban, particularly in the Helmand Province. Sangin, in particular, became a deadly area for British forces, with a third of all British deaths in the conflict occurring in this region. The Taliban's use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), machine guns, and sniper fire took a heavy toll on the Royal Marines, with many casualties and fatalities. The close-knit nature of the units meant that the loss of each marine was deeply felt by their comrades.

Despite the dangers and challenges, the Royal Marines persevered and adapted their tactics to counter the Taliban's evolving strategies. They worked closely with the Afghan National Army and police forces, providing training and support to improve their capabilities and confidence. The efforts of the Royal Marines contributed to the overall improvement of security in Afghanistan, allowing for the gradual handover of control to the Afghan forces.

The experiences of the Royal Marines in Afghanistan were characterised by bravery, resilience, and a strong sense of camaraderie. They faced immense challenges and made sacrifices, but their contributions were instrumental in the broader efforts to stabilise the country and prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists. The Royal Marines' involvement in Afghanistan came to an end in 2013, with the final unit returning to the UK and handing over control to the Afghan security forces.

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