 During 2006, the 3 PARA unit were the first to be placed within Helmand Province, deployed within one thousand two hundred soldiers altogether of the Battle group including 16 Air Assault Brigade, subsequently replaced by Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade.These troops have since been replaced by the 12 Mechanized Brigade as total number of UK personnel deployed was increased to nearly 7,000.Air support was provided by 9 Regiment Army Air Corps (equipped with the Westland WAH-64 Apache) and the Royal Air Force (RAF)/Royal Navy Joint Force Harrier operating Harrier GR7 close air support and reconnaissance aircraft.