In 1956, as a result of cuts to the Army and end of National Service the next year, the 16th Airborne Division was broken up, and the engineer regiment became independent under London District.

Later, 299 Troop achieved an operational first by constructing the first Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) to be flown into position.

[1][4] In January 2003, 299 Troop was mobilised, along with the rest of 131 Independent Commando Squadron, for service on Operation TELIC, the forthcoming Invasion of Iraq.

The Sappers used their skills to provide close engineering support for 3rd Commando Brigade all over Helmand Province.

Soldiers who pass P Coy are then offered the opportunity to attend a three week course at RAF Brize Norton known as the Basic Parachute Course.

Prior to 1995, the first jump in the Basic Parachute Course was undertaken from a modified Barrage balloon, but this has since been replaced with the Skyvan.

[13] The last time a British battalion-sized unit parachuted into combat was in 1956 during the Suez Crisis, but it is still considered a valid method of deployment.