Y Squadron

Y Squadron are 3 Commando Brigade's electronic warfare (EW) specialists. The squadron is an element of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, 3 Commando Brigade.

The Royal Marine Communication Technicians (RMCT) of Y Squadron provides a Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence (EWSI) capability for the brigade. They deploy as 3-6 man Radio Recce Teams (RRT) alongside frontline brigade elements and employ sophisticated equipment to listen in on enemy communications, which can include radio and mobile phone transmissions.

Y Squadron RRTs embed with 3 Commando's Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF). They provide an electronic screen out to 5 kilometers, monitoring the radio spectrum and indicating the enemy's positions by tracking their signals. Y Squadron RRTs use portable listening equipment, such as the RESOLVE EW Manpack system, to monitor enemy radio traffic. The same gear can be used in direction finding operations in which the position of the enemy can be determined by triangulating their signals using several EW receivers.

RRTs have a similar role to the British Army's Light Electronic Warfare Teams (LEWT).

Royal Marines from 30 Commando pictured during an operation in Helmand Province. Y Squadron radio reconnaissance teams scan the airwaves for Taliban transmissions. Analyzing the enemy's radio chatter can help determine their disposition, tactics and warn of imminent attacks. They can also be traced back to their source and used to pinpoint the enemy's location.

Image by PO(Phot) Burke | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2011
Used under Open Government Licence

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