Average tour intervals, from 1997, for the Royal Marines Commando units deployed on the Helmand Task Force roulement are shown in the following table:
Unit Average tour interval (months) 42 Commando Royal Marines 14 45 Commando Royal Marines 15 Commando Logistics Regiment 32 28 Engineer Regiment 40
28 Engineer Regiment rarely deploys as a fully formed unit. Elements of the Regiment are deployed to Helmand Province and I have informed the House on 6 November 2006, Official Report, column 793W, of the tour interval for those personnel involved.
RAF units operate differently to those of the Army or Royal Marines. While a unit might be deployed for five months, RAF personnel can rotate through the unit rather than remain with it throughout. Therefore unit and personnel tour intervals are not necessarily the same.
RAF unit Average tour interval (months) 3 Force Protection Wing 5 2 Sqn RAF Regiment 11