539 Raiding Squadron RM
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 539 Raiding Squadron
| image = RoyalMarineBadge.svg
| image_size = 100
| caption = Cap Badge of the Royal Marines
| dates = 1984-Present
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| allegiance =
| branch = {{Tree list}}
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Marines.svg}} Royal Marines
- {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg}} Naval Service
{{Tree list/end}}
| type = Marines
Commando
Light infantry
| role = Amphibious support
| size = ~ 100 personnel
| command_structure = 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines
| garrison = RM Tamar, Plymouth
| garrison_label =
| nickname = The Royals
HM Jollies
Bootnecks
The Royal Machines
| patron =
| motto = Per Mare Per Terram (By Sea By Land) (Latin)
| colors =
| colors_label =
| march = Quick - A Life on the Ocean Wave
| mascot =
| equipment = {{ubl|Landing Craft Utility|Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel|Commando Raiding Craft|Offshore Raiding Craft|Inflatable Raiding Craft}}
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| flying_hours =
| website =
| commander1 = King Charles III
| commander1_label = Captain-General
| commander2 = Colonel Will Norcott
| commander2_label = Commanding Officer
| commander3 = Major Joe Brown RM
| commander3_label = Squadron Commander
| commander4 =
| commander4_label =
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label = Commando Flash
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
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}}
539 Raiding Squadron (539 RS) is UK Commando Force's integral operational amphibious movement capability, delivering them on to land from water and patrolling waterways. It forms part of 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines. The Squadron are based in the new Royal Marines Tamar complex at the northern end of HMNB Devonport.{{cite web|url=https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/7875|title=Royal Marines raiders swarm up the Tamar to new £30m home|date=4 June 2013|publisher=Navy News|access-date=17 May 2016}}
History
File:Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq MOD 45142903.jpg
539 Assault Squadron was formed on 2 April 1984 and commissioned as operational on 24 July 1984. This was in direct response to lessons learned during previous winters in north Norway that were then subsequently confirmed during the Falklands Conflict in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/The-Royal-Marines/3-Commando-Brigade/539-Assault-Squadron |title=539 Assault Squadron RM |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=28 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331171230/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/The-Royal-Marines/3-Commando-Brigade/539-Assault-Squadron |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }} More recent operations include Operation Telic. 539 ASRM supported 3 Commando Brigade as it took the Al-Faw Peninsula, carrying out numerous operations such as several landings and the clearing of various waterways. 539 ASRM continued to operate in Iraq, performing security patrols of Iraq's southern ports and water networks until the end of Operation Telic.{{cite web|url=http://www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines/539-assault-squadron/|title=539 Assault Squadron|publisher=Elite UK Forces|access-date=17 May 2016}}
In July 2011 the Squadron, as part of the Response Force Task Group (RFTG), took part in the Cougar 11 deployment, including Exercise Omani Cougar and Exercise Somaliland Cougar.{{cite web |date=8 August 2011 |title=Royal Navy's Cougar 11 deployment returns |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navys-cougar-11-deployment-returns |access-date=5 November 2019 |publisher=Ministry of Defence}}{{Cite web |title=Royal Navy Cougar 11 Force begins exercises off Cyprus |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-cougar-11-force-begins-exercises-off-cyprus |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}{{Cite book |url=http://c69011.r11.cf3.rackcdn.com/3f0e149f93794038bc525c17369cdcc1-0x0.pdf |title=The Response Force Task Group (TRFTG) |publisher=The Royal Navy |year=2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108004539/http://c69011.r11.cf3.rackcdn.com/3f0e149f93794038bc525c17369cdcc1-0x0.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2023}}
As of 2017, the Squadron consisted of over 100 personnel and was equipped with a variety of Landing Craft including Rigid Raiders and Landing Craft Vehicle/Personnel. 539 Assault Squadron was named after the famous 539 Assault Flotilla which landed on Gold Beach during the Invasion of Normandy.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news_features/2004/539_squadron_anniversary.shtml|title=Marines on anniversary parade|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 July 2017}}
On 5 November 2019 the unit was renamed 539 Raiding Squadron and is a Squadron within 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/royal-marines-assault-group-renamed|title=Royal Marines Assault Group Renamed|date=5 November 2019|website=Forces Network|access-date=5 November 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines/1-assault-group/539-assault-squadron 539 Assault Squadron]
- [https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/539-asrm-a-genesis 539ASRM - The Genesis of a Unique Squadron]
{{British Commando Forces}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:539 Assault Squadron Rm}}