Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (FPGRM)

Once known as 'Comacchio Group', this specially trained and equipped cadre of Commandos are responsible for the security of Royal Navy assets, including Britain's Nuclear Weapons.

FPGRM are organised into several squadrons

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

Total fighting strength is around 530 Marines.

One group of the FPGRM (Joint Support Unit (JSU) Northwood) defends the UK's defence HQ at Northwoods. These Marines are highly-trained in CQB (Close Quarters Battle).

Another sub unit, the Fleet Standby Rifle Troop (FSRT) specialises in fleet security and the boarding of hostile ships. The FSRT was designed to be called in to bolster an existing on-ship force of Marines as needed, anywhere within the fleet. Nowadays, with the days of ship's companies mostly over, FSRT units are being frequently deployed onboard UK naval vessels for temporary periods.

Among the FPGRM Marines that deploy on Royal Navy warships are the specialised Maritime Sniper Teams (MST).

read more on the MST »

Fleet Protection Group are based at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, Scotland. Since FPGRM's focus is on fleet operations, they are not under the 3 Commando Brigade command structure, instead reporting to the Commander Operations Fleet, Royal Navy.

Before the role was taken over by the SBS in 1987, the FPG's forerunners, Comacchio Group, were responsible for protecting the UK's maritime interests from terrorism. Even though MCT (Maritime Counter-Terrorism) is no longer their main role, their training in VBSS (Vessel Boarding, Search and Seizure) means that FPG Marines are well suited to supporting large-scale SBS MCT operations. In such scenarios, FPG Marines will be able to act as a backup force, searching and securing areas of large vessels/installations whilst the SBS storm the primary objectives.

FPG Marines have been spotted using the following weapons:

• full-size SA80A2 assault rifles
• SA80A2K carbines
• MP5a3 9mm Sub Machine Guns
• Browning High Power 9mm pistols

FPGRM use a range of surface vessels including:

• Offshore Raiding Craft - used as patrol boats
• Rigid Inflatable Boats - Arctic 22/28s used for ship boarding

Specialist clothing includes:

• membrane drysuits
• Gecko Marine safety helmets
• life jackets

(view photo of FPGRM wearing the above)

A Royal Marine from O rifle squadron, Fleet Protection Group, takes aim with his Browning High Power 9mm pistol whilst training aboard HMS Portland, a Royal Navy frigate. Note the cord attached to the pistol, ensuring that the weapon cannot be lost. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Kevin H. Tierney.

click here for an affordable CD-Rom on passing selection for the Royal Marines »

« back to Royal Marines