The last commando group of thousands of Royal Marines to serve in Afghanistan are returning to the UK.
Over 14,000 marines have been deployed on operations in Afghanistan.
Defence secretary Philip Hammond said: “The courage of the Royal Marines, and indeed all of our Armed Forces who have served in Afghanistan over the past decade, has been truly outstanding.”
Three Royal Marines pleaded not guilty today to the murder of a unknown Afghan while on active service.
The men, known only as Marines A, B and C, entered their pleas in rank order from behind a screen amid tight security at the Military Court Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire.
The men denied the allegation under Section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 that on or about September 15 2011 they murdered the captured person while on patrol in Afghanistan.
David Perry QC, prosecuting, said the core of the prosecution case would be video footage.
Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett set a two-day pre-trial review hearing to start on August 5 with a trial due to last three to four weeks to commence on October 21.
All three marines were granted bail. Two further marines have been told that the murder charges against them have been dropped.
Carers for a former Royal Marine took to Facebook fearing there would be no other mourners at his funeral since he had no close family members.
The response to the Facebook invitation was overwhelming with hundreds turning out to give James McConnell a dignified send-off.
ITV News reporter Damon Green reports:
Hundreds of strangers attend funeral of former Royal Marine after a vicar's Facebook plea amid fears he would be buried without mourners.
Read the full storySergeant Luke Taylor, 33, of the Royal Marines, and Lance Corporal Michael Foley, 25, of the Adjutant General's Corps, were killed at the entrance to the UK headquarters in Helmand Province in March this year.
Shortly after his death a colleague of Sergeant Luke Taylor said:
"Luke was the kind of guy you wanted next to you - regardless of the situation, he was a cool head and a source of endless banter. I never saw him fazed; he just seemed to "crack on" and many a time dragged those around with him!
"He had one of those infectious charismas, always able to talk himself out of a situation. For me, like so many, Luke was simply an inspiration. Completely dedicated and loyal to his family, you could just feel the warmth when he spoke of them."
More than 32,000 people have endorsed a Facebook group created to support seven Royal Marines arrested on suspicion of murder following an incident in Afghanistan in 2011.
The group, "Support the 7 Royal Marine Commandos arrested for murder in afghanistan" was created the same day that the Ministry of Defence announced the arrests.
The creator of the Facebook group wrote, "This page is set up to show support for the seven Royal Marine Commandos arrested for murder for an event which happened in afghanistan 2011 where no civilians where injured and one guman killed which shot at them FIRST (sic)".
The latest update notes, "We are averaging 17 "Likes" a minute at the moment. A great effort by everyone spreading the page to this more than deserving cause. Thank you!".
The arrests are thought to be the first time UK servicemen have been held on suspicion of such charges during the conflict in Afghanistan.
Military police have arrested seven Royal Marines on suspicion of murder over an incident in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
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