Brigade Patrol Troop
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The Brigade Patrol Troop is a Royal Marines force element within the Support Squadron of the UK Landing Force Command Support Group, 3 Commando Brigade. The Troop is also the primary element of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.
The role of the Troop is medium-level reconnaissance, contributing to the UKLFCSG's role, providing information superiority in the battlespace for the Brigade. The four six-man patrols would be deployed up to 72 hours in advance of the main force, collecting intelligence and communicating it back to the Brigade Headquarters. The Troop comprises specially-trained personnel known as Mountain Leaders and Reconnaissance Leaders.
[edit] History
The Troop was formed in the early 1990s using personnel from the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre, and attached to Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade, as a Brigade asset. Subsequently they have been employed on all Brigade deployments including Operation TELIC, the British involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and in Afghanistan on Operation Jacana and Operation Herrick.
[edit] Selection and Training
Candidates for the troop are already Commando-qualified and continue their training to qualify as Mountain Leaders and Recce Operators. The Troop only accepts candidates from the Royal Marines.
In addition to the cold weather warfare training which all members of the Brigade receive, personnel are trained in first aid to a high level of competence; voice and data communications as well as reconnaissance patrolling and intelligence collection. Personnel qualify as "Sharpshooters" (snipers), using the L96A1 sniper rifle and as "parachutists", conducting parachute training at RAF Brize Norton. They can also qualify as "Long Range Riflemen" using the .338 Long Range Rifle.
After qualification, the Recce Operator undergoes a period of probation.
Training as a Recce Operator is seen as sound preparation for future selection as a Swimmer Canoeist in the Special Boat Service due to its arduous nature.
Members of the Brigade Patrol Troop previously used the M16A2 assault rifle, but now use the SA80 (the standard British Army service rifle)
