History

On May 1 1980, the Comacchio Company Royal Marines was formed to guard Britain's nuclear weapons and as a maritime counter-terrorist unit for offshore installations, including oil platforms and ships. The Comacchio Company RM initially numbered around 300 personnel.

Taking its name from a World War Two battle honour, the Comacchio Company's purpose was deemed inappropriate for a Commando-level specification. Instead, the Comacchio Company was named after a battle fought in Lake Comacchio, Italy, by Royal Marines in 1945, where Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter of 43 Commando posthumously received the Victoria Cross for his actions. On its formation, Comacchio Company took on the colours and traditions of the old 43 Commando.

The Comacchio Company RM became Comacchio Group RM in November 1983 to reflect a manpower increase to over 400 Royal Marines. From 1987 onwards, the Comacchio Company also ceased performing in the counter-terrorist role, after a study transferred the task to a newly-formed squadron of the Special Boat Service.

The Comacchio Group RM was renamed Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines in March 2001, and was restructured into its current organisation. The Group also moved from Condor Barracks in Arbroath, Scotland to HM Naval Base Clyde, which is situated near Helensburgh on the West Coast of Scotland.

In 2004, rifle squadron P was renamed S squadron and the Group was further expanded to a complement of 530.

Tasks and Current Organisation

The Fleet Protection Group has over 500 personnel and is organised into several sub-units:

• HQ headquarters squadron
• O rifle squadron
• R rifle squadron
• S rifle squadron

The Group currently performs several tasks, including providing boarding parties for Royal Navy vessels, a security presence at British military headquarters in Northwood in London, England and protection of Britain's nuclear weapons.