Last Royal Marines to serve in Afghan conflict head back home

After more than a decade of operational deployments in the war-torn country, troops from 40 Commando Royal Marines (40 Cdo) lowered the Royal Navy’s white ensign above their main operating base, MOB Price, before flying out.

Servicemen from 40 Cdo were the first British troops to deploy to the country in 2001, securing Bagram airfield and going on to patrol the streets of Kabul.

Since then the Marines have served in successive deployments in Sangin, Nahr-e Saraj and Musa Qala in Helmand Province.

The symbolic lowering of the ensign at MOB Price on Saturday in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand was the last time the flag will fly in the region. The Ministry of Defence said the equivalent of more than 14,000 Marines have served in Afghanistan across 12 deployments from the 7,200-strong Royal Marine Corps, while many others have been attached to other units.

The Royal Marines have been awarded nearly 200 honours for acts of bravery and distinguished service in Afghanistan, including a George Cross, seven Distinguished Service Orders and ten awards of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

The commando group have now handed over to 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

During their deployments they helped develop the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan police units in the area to take on responsibility for security. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “The courage of the Royal Marines, and indeed all of our Armed Forces who have served in Afghanistan over the past decade, has been truly outstanding.

“Their commitment has made sure that transition of security to Afghan control is deliverable by the time we end our combat operations in December 2014.

“The hard work of 40 Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan over the winter has led to impressive progress in the capabilities of Afghan forces as they take on security responsibility, with decreasing levels of assistance from UK and ISAF forces.

“It is these Afghan forces, developed and trained by UK personnel, who will ensure that Afghanistan never again provides a safe haven for terrorists.”

In the past year, the number of UK bases across Helmand has reduced from 80 to 12 as they are handed over to Afghan forces or dismantled.

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said the Royal Marines had been a key part of the Afghanistan effort since the UK committed to the region in 2001 and he thanked them for serving their country “so valiantly”.