HUNDREDS of 40 Commando Royal Marines will be deploying to Afghanistan this summer, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday (Thursday).
About 670 marines, including 40 reservists, based at Norton Manor Camp, Norton Fitzwarren, will form part of the next roulement of UK forces in Afghanistan which is due to take place in April 2010.
There will also be an attached company of Gurkhas – about 100 people – from 1 Royal Gurkha Regiment (1 RGR) under the command of Lt Col Paul James Royal Marine, 40 Commando’s Commanding Officer.
40 Commando will be based and working in the Helmand region of Afghanistan where they will be focusing on providing security. The unit will be working with both the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP).
The UK’s commitment to Afghanistan and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) currently stands at 9,500 personnel.
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