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Armoured Support Group Royal Marines

Formed in December 2007, the Armoured Support Group Royal Marines (ASGRM) operate the Viking All Terrain Vehicle Protected (ATV(P)) vehicle.

The ASGRM is under administrive control of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (539 ASRM) and is based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

Viking Squadron

A major element of ASGRM is Viking Squadron. Viking Squadron's main role is to provide protected mobility for the Lead Command Group. (LGC)

A single Viking troop can transport one Royal Marines rifle company to, from and across the battlefield. Two troops are typically made available to the LGC. Fire Support variants of the Viking may provide heavy and medium machine gun fires while a mortar-carrying variant provides in-direct fire support. The Vikings can also be used in the command, recovery or ambulance role.

Royal Marines in Viking Squadron hold the Armoured Support (AS) Specialisation.

Viking Squadron Organisation

While overall control of ASGRM is with 539 ASRM, Viking Squadron is actually a sub unit of Commando Logistics Regiment. The unit operates out of Bovington Garrison in Dorset.

Viking Squadron is organised into three Viking troops (1 Troop, 2 Troop, 3 Troop), each with sixteen ATV(P) and led by a Captain. A further four mortar-carrying and/or fire support Viking variants may be attached, bringing the troop strength up to twenty vehicles. Two Viking troops are on five days notice to support the Lead Commando Group as part of 3 Commando Brigade's Response Force Task Group (RFTG). The other troop is on twenty-eight days notice.

Other elements of Viking Squadron include a Support Troop consisting of signallers, mechanics, stores clerks and admin support staff . The unit also features a Trials and Training Wing. A Viking ATV(P) with the Armoured Support Group operates with Juliet Company, 42 Commando during an exercise in Albania. The Viking can be split into two sections in order to be transported as an underslung load by Chinook or Merlin helicopter.
Image by LA(Phot) Jason Ballard | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2013
Used under Open Government Licence

Armoured Support Group Operations

Prior to the group's formation, the Royal Marines Armoured Support Company had operated the Viking in Afghanistan, first deploying in September 2006.

From their initial deployment to Afghanistan, in late 2007, the Armoured Support Group have been involved in a series of operations, including: Royal Marines from 42 Commando, supported by Vikings from the Armoured Support Group, pictured while deployed to Afghanistan.
US DoD photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. John Scott Rafoss

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