29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

The batteries of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, provide artillery support to 3 Commando Brigade in the form of 105mm howitzers, mortars and Naval gunfire. All members of 29 Commando are volunteers from other Royal Artillery regiments and are Commando trained.

29 Commando Batteries

29 Commando RA is made up of the following Commando batteries:

29 CDO RA use the L118 105mm howitzer as its main gun. (US variant, the M119 is pictured). The L118 can fire 6-8 rounds per minute to a range of 17km. Crucially, for Commando operations, the gun can be transported slung beneath helicopters and towed by vehicles.

US DoD photo by:
SSG KEVIN L. MOSES SR., USA

23 (Gibraltar 1779 - 1783) Commando Headquarters Battery Royal Artillery
23 Battery, also based at the Royal Citadel Plymouth, provides command and control for 29 Commando. They provide signals and admin support and deploy alongside the other batteries when on operations. A radar troop from 23 is used to detect enemy artillery fire, plotting the incoming arc of fire and pinpointing the firing position. This techniques has been used to direct counter-fire against enemy mortar positions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery Royal Artillery
Based at Arbroath, Angus, home of 45 commando, 7 Battery comprises 6 105mm guns and 3 observation parties.

8 (Alma) Commando Battery Royal Artillery
Also known as 'Black Eight', based at the Royal Citadel Plymouth. Alma consists of 6 105mm guns and 3 observation parties.

79 (Kirkee) Commando Battery Royal Artillery
Also based at the Royal Citadel Plymouth, 29 Battery consists of 6 light 105mm guns and 3 observation parties.

148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery
148 Battery are highly-trained Army and Navy personnel tasked with calling in Naval gunfire in support of 3 Command Brigade operations. Apart from Commando training, 148 Bty men also undergo training in parachuting and submarine infil/exfil techniques.

more info on 148 Battery »

29 Commando Training

Volunteers for the Regiment first undergo a series of fitness tests before being assigned to specific Batteries for a pre-commando training schedule. They then progess onto Commando training where they attempt the All Arms Commando Course. Those who successfully complete Commando training are eligible to wear the Green Beret and Commando Dagger insignia. Further specialized training is then undertaken.

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