| Commander Littoral Strike Group (COMLSG) | |
|---|---|
 Official badge of COMLSG | |
Incumbent since May 2020Commodore Rob Pedre | |
| Navy Command,Ministry of Defence | |
| Reports to | Commander United Kingdom Strike Force |
| Appointer | Naval Secretary |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 2 years) |
| Inaugural holder | CommodoreHardress Lloyd |
| Formation | 1965–current |
TheCommander Littoral Strike Group (COMLSG) is a senior BritishRoyal NavyAmphibious warfare appointment. COMLSG, who is based inStonehouse Barracks,Stonehouse, Plymouth, reports toCommander United Kingdom Strike Force. It was first established in 1971 as Commodore Amphibious Warfare.
Today COMLSG is a deployableone-star Maritime Component Commander held at Very High Readiness (72 hours or less) in order to respond to unexpected global events. In most circumstances, COMLSG and his staff would deploy in theFleet Flagship (such as one of the newQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers) in order to command a deployed task group. While structured and trained to conduct high intensity war-fighting (with an emphasis on amphibious operations, working alongside3 Commando Brigade, the staff are capable of commanding a diverse range of activities such as evacuation operations, or disaster relief.
Nevertheless, as of late 2024, the future of U.K amphibious capability was, at best, uncertain. In November 2024, the newly elected Labour government indicated that both of the Royal Navy'sAlbion-classlanding platform dock vessels would be removed from service by March 2025.[1] Simultaneously, theRoyal Fleet Auxiliary was suffering severe crewing problems, as well as a labour force disruption, meaning the manning of its threeBay-classlanding ship dock vessels was facing serious challenges.[2][3] This brought into question the entire concept of the navy's ability to conduct even medium-sized amphibious operations.[4]
In the 1960s most of the Navy's amphibious capability was underCommodore, Amphibious Forces, Far East Fleet (COMAFFEF), based atSingapore Naval Base. In March 1971, following the withdrawal fromSingapore, and the return of3 Commando Brigade to the UK, COMAFFEF was retitled Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW), and moved toFort Southwick, just outsidePortsmouth.[5] COMAW became subordinate toFlag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships (FOCAF).
After 1979 when FOCAF becameFlag Officer, Third Flotilla,[6] COMAW became part of Third Flotilla. In 1981, CommodoreMichael Clapp moved COMAW toStonehouse Barracks in order to be based alongside HQ3 Commando Brigade again. Following the pivotal role of the Royal Navy's amphibious forces during theFalklands War, when Clapp directed the Amphibious Group of the British task force, alongside BrigadierJulian Thompson, this co-location of the two Headquarters has endured ever since.[5]
From 1992 COMAW reported to thetwo-star deployable battle staff commander, currently titledCommander UK Strike Force.[7] The reestablishment of the Amphibious Warfare Warfare Squadron was announced in March 1997.[8] But the commander's title was renamed from COMAW to Commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) on 1 December 1997;[9] subsequent references to a 'squadron' are hard to find.
In the early 21st century COMATG deployments includedOperation Veritas in 2001;Operation Telic, the2003 invasion of Iraq;Operation Vela in 2006;Operation Highbrow, evacuating personnel from Lebanon in 2006; leadingCombined Task Force 152 in the Middle East in 2008; and Operation Taurus in 2009.
Until 2011, COMATG was one of the deployable maritime commanders who with their headquarters reported to the Fleet Battle Staff, alongside two others, theCommander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group (COMCSG) and theCommander UK Task Group (COMUKTG). However, following theStrategic Defence and Security Review 2010, COMCSG and COMUKTG were abolished as separate commands and COMATG became the sole deployable HQ, under the new title of COMUKTG, responsible for command of theResponse Force Task Group. At this point, the formerCommander UK Task Group becameDeputy Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces.[10]
In early October 2012, the Commander UK Task Group,Commodore Paddy McAlpine led theCougar 12 deployment of six ships and more than 3,000 marines and sailors to the Mediterranean Sea. One of the principle purposes of the deployment was to conduct large-scale amphibious exercises with allies. Key exercises included: 'Corsican Lion' with France; 'Albanian Lion' with Albania; a visit toMalta and exercises with theUnited States Navy and theAlgerian Armed Forces.[11]
McAlpine said: "Cougar 12 provides us with a superb opportunity to rekindle our amphibious capability after a prolonged period when our focus has been ..elsewhere."[11] Exercise 'Corsican Lion' was the main focus ofCougar 12 and was designed to develop the maritime and amphibious components of the Anglo-FrenchCombined Joint Expeditionary Force. The group worked alongside theFrench Navy'sTask Force 473 led byFrench aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.[12]
Brigadier Martin Smith of3 Commando Brigade was quoted saying: "It is an incredibly versatile force and our burgeoning interoperability with the French further proves this. The quality of Royal Marines Commandos and French Marines delivers a highly effective first response capability ..optimised for early entry operations."[12]
In March 2015, the post of COMUKTG reverted to its previous title of COMATG.[13] COMATG was responsible toCommander United Kingdom Maritime Forces.[14]
COMATG was re-titled Commander Littoral Strike Group on 1 October 2019, to reflect the expected increased size and capabilities of the group, includingQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.[15][16]
Included:[24]
Note: COMAW was renamed COMATG in 1997[27]
Commodores in post included:[28]
Note: Following SDSR10, COMATG was renamed COMUKTG, and the Amphibious Task Group was renamed the Response Force Task Group.[29]
Commodores in post included:[30]
Note: COMUKTG post reverted to the name Commander Amphibious Task Group in March 2015, and Cdre Connell continued in that role till May 2016[32]
Commodores in post included:[33]
Note: COMATG was renamed Commander Littoral Strike Group in October 2019, and Cdre Parkin continued in post under the new title.[35]
