The early hours of this morning saw the latest Arbroath exodus of Royal Marines from RM Condor bound for the Afghanistan front line.
Some 600 personnel are to be involved in the fourth deployment of Condor personnel to the country.
Their latest role will be to provide security in support of the Afghan government as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e-Ali in Helmand province-for some their first experience of the conflict area.
Their duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying the insurgents freedom of movement.
This tour is a continuation of the work started by Condor personnel in 2002 when marines led the first military operation as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Further deployments took place in 2006 and 2008.
The 45 Commando unit is part of 3 Commando Brigade and is made up of companies Victor, Whiskey, X-Ray, Yankee, Zulu, Logistics and Headquarters, in addition to an artillery unit, 7 Battery 29 Commando RA.
In Afghanistan, they will join counterparts from the Royal Regiment of Scotland and crews from RAF Lossiemouth.
Many from the Arbroath unit have mobilised and the rest will leave Angus by the start of next week.