3 Medical Regiment (United Kingdom)

The 3rd Medical Regiment, operationally known as 3 Medical Regiment is a medical support unit of the British Army's Royal Army Medical Corps. The regiment is, along with all of the other regular medical regiments, by all standards considered new units. The regiment today supports the new 2nd Strike Brigade, and has two reserve squadrons under its control.

History
The 3rd Medical Regiment was formed in 2000 following the re-organisation of the field forces following the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. The regiment was formed from 3 former squadrons; A (12) Medical Squadron, B (16) Medical Squadron, and C (24) Medical Squadron. Following their formation, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd (United Kingdom) Mechanised Division. After being assigned the regiment was based in Gaza Barracks, where they still reside today. In 2002, the regiment was renamed as the 3rd Close Support Medical Regiment.

Over the next 10 years, from 2003 to 13, the regiment saw many deployments to Iraq (OP Telic) and Afghanistan (OP Herrick). These deployments included;


 * Operation Telic
 * TELIC II (16 Close Support Sqn only, supporting 19th Mechanised Brigade)
 * TELIC X (16 Close Support Sqn only, supporting 1st Mechanised Brigade)
 * TELIC XII (Supporting 7th Armoured Brigade)
 * Operation Herrick
 * HERRICK IV (16 Close Support Sqn only, supporting 16th Air Assault Brigade)
 * HERRICK XII (Supporting 4th Mechanised Brigade)
 * HERRICK XVII (Supporting 4th Mechanised Brigade)

In 2010, the Army 2020 Reform was announced, and the regiment was moved under control of the 102nd Logistics Brigade but maintained their role of supporting the 3 UK Division. In 2015, the Army 2020 Refine was announced, and it was announced that the 102nd Logistic Brigade was to be rationalised and disbanded. This effectively meant the brigade was to loose many units, either through disbandment or movement, the 3rd Medical Regiment was to move under the 2nd Medical Brigade.

Following the refine, the regiment is tasked to support the 2nd Strike Brigade. The regiment also lost control of 16 and 24 medical squadrons, while gaining 18 support squadron, and 64 and 251 volunteer medical squadrons.

Following the reforms, the regiment will have the following structure;


 * Regimental Headquarters, Gaza Barracks (By 2020)
 * 12 Medical Squadron
 * 64 Medical Squadron (V), Peninsula Barracks
 * 251 Medical Squadron (V), Sunderland [Moves from 225 Medical Regiment]
 * 18 Support Squadron

Before being assigned to the 2nd Strike Brigade, the regiment was tasked as the medical unit assigned to the Joint Expeditionary Force (Land) Light Brigade Support Group, itself commanded by the 102nd Logistic Brigade.

Following their assignment to the 2nd Strike Brigade, the regiment will loose their Mastiff vehicles and re-equip with the MIV, along with all other infantry and support units of the strike brigades. The regiment also looses 3 personnel.