Brigade in Afghanistan handover

Gunners from 29 Commando are part of the task force

Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade has started its second deployment in two years in Afghanistan.

A ceremony took place marking the transfer of authority from 16 Air Assault Brigade at Headquarters Task Force Helmand in Lashkar Gah.

Most of the 5,000 personnel of 3 Commando Brigade, based at Stonehouse, are Royal Marines.

About 40% are from the Army, with 400 troops from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in Plymouth.

The deployment is expected to last until April 2009.

The brigade is a core component of the UK's joint rapid reaction force.

Brigadier Gordon Messenger, of 3 Commando Brigade, said: "I pay tribute to the sterling work carried out by 16 Air Assault Brigade over the last six months, which has delivered real progress in Helmand.

"My priority will be to continue the momentum, working closely with our Afghan and coalition partners to develop the capacity of the Afghan governance structures and security forces, and to deliver much needed stability and security to the people of southern Afghanistan."