Royal Marines Hovercraft

Royal Marines with 3 Commando Brigade's 539 Assualt Squadron (539 ASRM) patrol waterways around the Southern Iraqi town of Umm Qasr in a Landing Craft Air Cushioned (light) hovercraft. The amphibious nature of the LCAC made them ideal for patrolling river networks and marshlands. The Griffon 2000TD LCAC, as pictured here, could carry up to 16 fully-laden commandos. 539 ASRM is now using a newer LCAC model, based on the Griffin 2400TD.