Marines taking Afghanistan lead

The brigade will lead British forces in Afghanistan until October Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines is to take over as the lead British formation in Afghanistan. Defence Secretary Des Browne announced it will replace 16 Air Assault Brigade in the latest troop rotation. The force, which will include Bickleigh-based 42 Commando, will be deployed from October until April 2009. Some of the additional forces announced last month, which will see the total British force rise from 7,800 to 8,030 by next spring, are also... [read full story]