Editing 45 Commando (section)

===2000s===
[[File:Groundcrew Sheltering from Helicopter Downwash in Norway MOD 45155036.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of five fully covered marines in a huddle underneath a helicopter.|Ground crew with the Commando Helicopter Force huddle from the downwash of a Sea King helicopter on exercise in Norway.]]
[[File:45 Cdo Royal Marines in Afghanistan MOD 45149706.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of marines patrolling in single file over rough, almost barren, terrain with buildings on the horizon.|Members of Whisky Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines patrolling across barren landscape from FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson at Sangin in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.]]
At the turn of the Millennium, the Commando unit was deployed to [[Kosovo]] under [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] as part of 3 Cdo Bde RM on Operation Agricola IV.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK's mountain warfare elite|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1880048.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=18 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite hansard|house=[[House of Commons (United Kingdom)|House of Commons]]|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo041004/text/41004w31.htm|title=House of Commons - Written Answers for 4 Oct 2004 (pt 31)|date=4 October 2004}}</ref> From April 2002, the unit deployed to [[Afghanistan]] on [[Operation Jacana]], and also took part in [[Operation Telic]] 1, the 2003 invasion of Iraq. X-Ray [[Company (military unit)|Company]] Group was attached to the [[Special Boat Service]] (SBS), Whisky [[Company (military unit)|Company]] Group attached to the [[Special Air Service]] (SAS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines/operations/operation-telic-iraq.php|title=Royal Marines - Operation Telic|publisher=Elite UK Forces|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

In September 2003, 45 Commando was granted the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom]] of Angus in recognition of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan and contribution to the local economy of [[Arbroath]], where they are based.<ref name="dailyrecord">{{cite news|title=Thousands turn out in Arbroath to greet returning Royal Marines|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/thousands-turn-out-in-arbroath-to-greet-1024089|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=22 May 2009}}</ref>

In January 2004 the unit deployed to [[Northern Ireland]] ([[Operation Banner]]) for 6 months in support of peacekeeping operations, returning home in June. On return, it became the [[Spearhead Land Element|Spearhead Lead Commando]], a role assumed on a rotational basis. The Lead Commando is at a high level of readiness, able to deploy at short notice on operations worldwide.<ref>Ministry of Defence annual report 2005-2006</ref>

In September 2004, whilst still Lead Commando unit, the Group deployed to the [[United States]] on Exercise BLACKHORSE.  This was split into two phases, the first of which took place with the [[United States Marines Corps]] Ground-Air Combat Centre at [[29 Palms]], [[California]].  This 900 square miles of desert, allowed realistic live firing, involving artillery and air strikes.  The second phase took place at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Centre, high in the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada Mountains]].  An early snowfall meant the Commando was able to carry out cold weather warfare training, operating between 7000 and {{convert|11000|ft|m}}.  2006 saw the Unit deploy to Norway for further Arctic training which culminated with a [[NATO]] led exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-10-23b.171164.h|title=Defence written question |date=23 October 2013|publisher=House of Commons|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

The focus switched to preparation for deploying to Afghanistan on [[Operation HERRICK]] 5 in late 2006.  This deployment saw the Commando take on a number of different roles, the principal one being that of the [[Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team]] (OMLT).  The OMLT task was to work alongside the [[Afghan National Army]] and develop it into a self-sufficient organisation. The Unit returned from Afghanistan in April 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Handover in Helmand as 3 Cdo Brigade replace 16 Air Assault Brigade|url=http://ia201119.eu.archive.org/tna/20071204180435/http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/militaryoperations/handoverinhelmandas3cdobrigadereplace16airassaultbrigade.htm|date=9 October 2006|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref>

October 2008 saw the Commando unit return to Afghanistan as Northern Battle Group in [[Helmand Province]] on Operation HERRICK 9.  The operational area of responsibility was the Upper Sangin Valley which extended for 80&nbsp;km along the length of the [[Helmand River]].  The Battle Group was in excess of 1200 strong, half of whom came from 45 Commando.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Commando Brigade to replace 16 Air Assault in Afghanistan|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/3CommandoBrigadeToReplace16AirAssaultInAfghanistan.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708202330/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/3CommandoBrigadeToReplace16AirAssaultInAfghanistan.htm|date=8 July 2008|archive-date=8 July 2008 |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref>

April/May 2009 saw the return of the Commando to Arbroath in Scotland for reorganisation ahead of a winter deployment to Norway to practice cold weather and amphibious tactics.<ref name="dailyrecord"/>