Themes

Commandos get their own helicopters

After the Commando Brigade’s success in the Suez Raid in 1956 it was noted that the employment of helicopters could be an asset for the amphibious and rapid reaction capabilities of the Commandos.

In 1961 the Corps began to recruit Royal Marine Officers for helicopter pilot training. The recruits trained in commando helicopter landing techniques and also anti-submarine warfare as was the role of naval helicopter pilots at the time.

With the advent of the Commando Ship the Admiralty agreed that a portion of the helicopter pilots for Naval Air Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm would come from the Royal Marines.

The first three of these newly trained pilots joined the Fleet Air Arm’s 848 Squadron stationed on board the Commando Carrier HMS Bulwark, in 1961.

In 1969 Captain M J Reece became the first Royal Marine to command a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm since World War Two - and the 19th Royal Marine Officer to do so since World War One.

By 1965 42 Commando had established a light aircraft unit in order to aid them in operations.

The Commando initially used Sioux light helicopters as ‘spotter’ aircraft, and for reconnaissance and air cover fire using General Purpose Machine Guns.

By 1966 there were three of these light helicopters attached to the Brigade; one to each Commando and played a pivotal role in supporting all Commando units in many major actions of the decade.

In 1968 these helicopters were brought together to form the Commando Brigade Air Squadron comprised of joint Royal Marine and Royal Artillery crews.

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Follow the links to find out more about -

• Sea service

• Amphibious capabilities - Landing craft and Commando carriers and Assault ships.

• Gunnery and repository
  

• Anti-terrorism in the Middle East - Palestine and Aden

• Jungle Warfare - Malaya, Brunei and Borneo

• Anti-terrorism in Europe - Cyprus and Northern Ireland

• Flying Marines

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