View allAll Photos Tagged Commando
Pictured are X Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines conducting Close Quarter Battle training with Lithuanian Army's "Griffin" Brigade during OP BATAN.
45 Commando operated with The Griffin Brigade's Heckler and Koch (H&K) G36C assault rifles.
The Marines of X Company based at Royal Marines Condor, Arbroath will work with Lithuanian forces during Op BATAN and will also conduct Exercise Griffin Commando (GC), which forms part of Littoral Response Group North LRG(N).
Based at RM Condor in Scotland, 45 Commando is an amphibious commando unit that forms part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. These elite troops conduct a range of operational tasks at home and across the globe.
The Griffin Brigade – a motorised infantry brigade of the Lithuanian Army – hosted 45 Commando at their base in the port city of Klaipėda alongside the National Defence Volunteer Force.
There, the commandos – more than 130 of them from 45 Commando’s X-Ray Company – worked on Exercise Griffin Commando.
It saw British short-term military training teams work with the Lithuanians on a range of skills, including close-quarters battle, marksmanship, contact and break contact drills, plus method of entry techniques using specialist breaching equipment.
This went alongside joint tactical training designed to strengthen the two nations’ ability to work together.
Photos: PO Phot Si Ethell
Royal Marines of 40 Commando taking part in PROJECT HERMOD LIVEX.
PROJECT HERMOD was a capability demonstration to mark the Defence Integrated Review (IR).
Taking place on RFA Mounts Bay and at Bovington training area, it displayed Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) within Defence as part of a transformation programme.
Trained for rapid worldwide deployment, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
The unit are at the forefront of innovation as commandos go back to their roots as raiders from the sea and embrace new technologies to help their specialised operations around the world.
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Photos: LPhot Phil Bloor
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence 2021
Royal Marines from Bravo Company , 40 Commando preparing for Project HERMOD 2 on Bovington Training Area, Dorset.
PROJECT HERMOD 2 was a capability demonstration to mark the Defence Integrated Review (IR).
The Marines of 40 Commando have been utilising new equipment, technology, and concepts as part of the transition to Commando Forces and will display a capability demonstration to Members of Parliament and senior officers.
Trained for rapid worldwide deployment, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
The unit are at the forefront of innovation as commandos go back to their roots as raiders from the sea and embrace new technologies to help their specialised operations around the world.
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Photos: PO Phot Si Ethell
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence 2021
Royal Marines of 40 Commando and Army Commandos taking part in PROJECT HERMOD LIVEX.
PROJECT HERMOD was a capability demonstration to mark the Defence Integrated Review (IR).
Taking place on RFA Mounts Bay and at Bovington training area, it displayed Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) within Defence as part of a transformation programme.
Trained for rapid worldwide deployment, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
The unit are at the forefront of innovation as commandos go back to their roots as raiders from the sea and embrace new technologies to help their specialised operations around the world.
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Photos: LPhot Phil Bloor
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence 2021
Commandos Marine menant un exercice à la mer à bord d'Embarcations Commando à Usage Multiple Embarquables de Nouvelle Génération (ECUME NG).
French Navy Commandos conducting an exercise at sea aboard ECUME NG RHIBs.
EXERCISE GREEN DAGGER 19.1
Pictured: LCpl Mann 54Cdo Sqn RE during an advance to contact.
As part of their Force Generation process and wider preparation for Lead Commando Group, 45 Commando Royal Marines deployed to America during Exercise Green Dagger. The exercise involved Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) and a Force of Force (FEX) exercise with two United States Marine Corps (USMC) Battle Groups (BG), conducted on an impressively large village complex. During the exercise 45 Cdo were stationed at Camp Wilson, located on the Marine Air Ground Combat Centre, a huge training complex of approx 100 square kilometres in the Mojave Desert. It was a great opportunity for the Commandos to meet and train with their American counterparts.
Pictured: 45 Commando during fight phase of artic warfare training.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Photos: LPhot Stevie Burke
Pictured:A Royal Marine from X-Ray Company, 45 Commando assault the final objective in Rinkenby, Sweden on Baltic Protector.
Royal Marines of 45 Commando have completed the final exercise in Rinkenby, Sweden as part of the Baltic Protector deployment.
Baltic Protector marks the first deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Maritime Task Group. A total of 3000 military personnel and 9 nations including the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden will contribute to the first major maritime training deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force.
Credit: LPhot Joe Cater
Australian Army special forces soldiers from 2nd Commando Regiment prepare to board a Sydney ferry from an Army rigid-hulled boat as part of a Special Operations Command maritime counter-terrorism training activity on Sydney Harbour, on Wednesday, 24 June 2020.
Exercise Mars Toothfish is essential Australian Army training that ensures the Australian Defence Force is ready to defend Australia and its national interests. The training activity was conducted using strict COVID-19 protocols.
The Mars series of counter-terrorism training activities are designed to build and maintain the skills of 2nd Commando Regiment's Tactical Assault Group - East (TAG-East), a short-notice counter-terrorist force, able to respond to a terrorist incident of national importance or in support of state and territory-based police.
2nd Commando Regiment is part of Special Forces Group, a brigade-level formation within the Australian Army's Special Operations Command.
Photos: Cpl Sagi Biderman
Pictured is Marine John Allen of Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines with an Army Commando and a Marine patrolling in the river at Belize as part of Exercise Curry Trail. This exercise sees participants develop jungle warfare capabilities for Commando Forces up to and including live fire section drills. February 14, 2019.
ROYAL MARINES GREEN DAGGER USA 2019
IMAGE SHOWS: A Royal Marine from Alpha Company 40 Commando peers round a corner during an urban compound assault in the Californian Desert. Taken in California at 29 Palms on Ex Green Dagger 2019.
40 Commando Battle Group take on their US Marine Corps counterpart in a peer-on-peer scenario in the deserts of California. Their training took place in the excellent, and truly vast, range complex at Twentynine Palms (near the border of Mexico).
The Royal Marines have been invited by the Commandant General of the US Marine Corps to compete in a peer-on-peer warfighting scenario: “we must train the way we intend to fight. Training must reflect how we would fight a thinking adversary who can compete in all domains”. 40 Commando Battle Group have partnered with 7th Marine Regiment USMC as the adversary for; providing a commando force to be the lethal tip-of-the-spear to take on 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV).
The Commando Memorial is a Category A listed monument in Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II. Situated around a mile from Spean Bridge village, it overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, it has become one of the United Kingdom's best-known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction offering views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr
Pictured: A Royal Marine from Zulu Company. 45 Commando on section attack training in Ravlunda, Sweden as part of their Baltic Protector Deployment.
Royal Marines from Zulu Company, 45 Commando have been honing their skills in the phase 2 part of Baltic Protector in the area of Rinkeby which is in the south west of Sweden. This involved section, troop and company level training.
Baltic Protector marks the first deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Maritime Task Group. A total of 3000 military personnel and 9 nations including the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden will contribute to the first major maritime training deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force.
Credit: LPhot Joe Cater
Royal Marines of 40 Commando and Army Commandos taking part in PROJECT HERMOD LIVEX.
PROJECT HERMOD was a capability demonstration to mark the Defence Integrated Review (IR).
Taking place on RFA Mounts Bay and at Bovington training area, it displayed Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) within Defence as part of a transformation programme.
Trained for rapid worldwide deployment, the troops of 40 Commando are highly skilled, adaptable, and capable of combating a wide range of threats.
The unit are at the forefront of innovation as commandos go back to their roots as raiders from the sea and embrace new technologies to help their specialised operations around the world.
Since its formation in 1942, 40 Commando has served in every major British conflict, playing a pivotal role in several notable campaigns and operations.
Photos: LPhot Phil Bloor
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence 2021
Pictured: 45 Commando during fight phase of artic warfare training.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Photos: LPhot Stevie Burke
Royal Marines Winter Deployment 2022
hore Reconnaissance Team (SRT) from 30 Commando’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting beach surveys to and live firing during Winter Deployment 22.
SRT carried out a covert swim insertion from ship to shore utilising the Inflatable Raiding Craft (IRC) to carry out critical beach reconnaissance deep inside the Arctic Circle.
The team then conducted live break contact drills once ashore on the beaches of Ramsund. These drills enable the small teams to disengage rapidly from enemy forces and regain their covert posture. Royal Marines have deployed to Northern Norway to carry out their annual winter deployment in the Arctic Circle.
Commandos will refresh skills in surviving, moving, and fighting across the ice.
This year, Royal Navy ships will join Royal Marines for the large-scale NATO exercise Cold Response 22.
This takes place in March and April with 28 nations and a total of 35,000 troops already committed to attending the exercise.
Photos: PO Phot Si Ethell
Het 2 Bataljon Commando traint in Tsjechië
Het 2 Bataljon Commando (2 Cdo) is op zondag 1 maart vertrokken naar het militaire oefenterrein van Boletice, in het zuiden van Tsjechië. Daar trainen ze gedurende twee weken om zich voor te bereiden op hun deelname aan de snelle NAVO-reactiemacht (NRF), die in januari 2016 van start gaat.
De snelle reactiemacht van de NAVO bestaat uit land-, lucht- en maritieme componenten en uit Special Forces, die de alliantie over heel de wereld snel kan inzetten.
“We bereiden ons al sinds januari 2015 voor op onze deelname aan de NRF” zegt luitenant-kolonel Vincent Pierard, korpscommandant van het 2 Bataljon Commando “Onze eerste oefening vond plaats in het Nederlandse Amersfoort, waar we een stafoefening hielden.”
Na de training voor de staf van het bataljon is het nu de beurt aan de militairen op het terrein. De eerste week van de trainingsperiode oefenen de paracommando’s van het 2 Cdo op de uitvoering van sectie- en pelotonsaanvallen. Van vrijdag 6 tot zondag 8 maart bleven de militairen non-stop op het terrein tijdens een veldtrainingsoefening. Hierbij kregen ze verschillende scenario’s voorgeschoteld, zoals een explosievenopslagplaats die ze moesten ontruimen of gijzelaars die ze moesten bevrijden. De tweede week werden de compagniecommandanten op de proef gesteld. Van 9 tot 11 maart ontplooiden ze hun compagnieën op de schietstanden met lucht-, genie- en artilleriesteun.
“De komende maanden houden we nog verschillende oefeningen, zodat we klaar zijn voor de grote evaluatieoefening die de NAVO eind september organiseert”, vertelt luitenant-kolonel Pierard. “In november ten slotte nemen we deel aan een laatste oefening voordat onze standby-periode begint. Die zal plaatsvinden in Spanje en alle landen die deelnemen aan de NRF 2016 zullen er aanwezig zijn.”
Photo's: Daniel Orban
EXERCISE GREEN DAGGER 19.1
Pictured: Members of Yankee Company 45 Commando during an advance to contact
As part of their Force Generation process and wider preparation for Lead Commando Group, 45 Commando Royal Marines deployed to America during Exercise Green Dagger. The exercise involved Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) and a Force of Force (FEX) exercise with two United States Marine Corps (USMC) Battle Groups (BG), conducted on an impressively large village complex. During the exercise 45 Cdo were stationed at Camp Wilson, located on the Marine Air Ground Combat Centre, a huge training complex of approx 100 square kilometres in the Mojave Desert. It was a great opportunity for the Commandos to meet and train with their American counterparts.
ROYAL MARINES GREEN DAGGER USA 2019
IMAGE SHOWS: A section of Royal Marines Commandos from Alpha Company 40 Commando sprint a large open space in an urban environment. Taken in California at 29 Palms on Ex Green Dagger 2019.
40 Commando Battle Group take on their US Marine Corps counterpart in a peer-on-peer scenario in the deserts of California. Their training took place in the excellent, and truly vast, range complex at Twentynine Palms (near the border of Mexico).
The Royal Marines have been invited by the Commandant General of the US Marine Corps to compete in a peer-on-peer warfighting scenario: “we must train the way we intend to fight. Training must reflect how we would fight a thinking adversary who can compete in all domains”. 40 Commando Battle Group have partnered with 7th Marine Regiment USMC as the adversary for; providing a commando force to be the lethal tip-of-the-spear to take on 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV).
For some unknown reason I never had the Action Man commando set as a kid. Fixed that with ebay this year and this unshaven, greying (another great job from the good folk at Flocktastic) 40th anniversay Action Man gets to wear a vintage outfit (and extra bits) as he joins up with 1/6th Commando.
Spot the Airfix influence in his pose too!
Pictured: 45 Commando Assault Engineers conduct Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training in northern Norway.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Royal Marine Commandos assigned to M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines board a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion assigned the Air Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit while participating in a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise during Northern Viking 2022 on Keflavik Airbase, Iceland, April 8, 2022.
Northern Viking 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations, enabling multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Yvonna Guyette
Royal Marines Winter Deployment 2022
Pictured are Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting live firing break contact using Oversnow Reconnaissance Vehicle (OSRV) in Norway during Winter Deployment 22.
SRS utilise the OSRV’s to assist their mobility to cover greater distances within the training area as they approach Ex Cold Response 22 on completion of the special to arms training.
Royal Marines have deployed to Northern Norway to carry out their traditional winter deployment in the Arctic Circle. Commandos will refresh skills in surviving, moving and fighting across the ice.
This year, Royal Navy ships will join Royal Marines for the large-scale Norwegian-led exercise Cold Response 22. This takes place in March and April with 28 nations and a total of 35,000 troops already committed to attending the exercise.
Photos: PO Phot Si Ethell
Pictured are 40 Commando Royal Marines attacking Cilieni village at Sennybridge training area during Exercise Joint Warrior as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force exercise. May 3, 2018.
Pictured: 45 Commando during fight phase of artic warfare training.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Photos: LPhot Stevie Burke
I'm not sure what to do with these guys. They are obviously B.A but I'm not sure weather to have them be Weird War II German snow troopers or British Tactical Commandos or what.
For now they are Snow Commandos
Pictured: 45 Commando Assault Engineers conduct Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training in northern Norway.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Pictured: 45 Commando Assault Engineers conduct Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training in northern Norway.
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have deployed to Norway for WINTER DEPLOYMENT 20 (WD 20).
The Arbroath-based Royal Marine Commando Unit are being put through their paces in the harsh Arctic conditions. As 3 Cdo Bde’s mountain and cold weather warfare specialists, WD20 will ensure that the Unit is ready in all respects to operate in one of the world’s most arduous environments.
As part of Ex CETUS, training for the Unit starts with the Cold Weather Warfare Course which teaches students the skills needed to operate in an Arctic environment. The course has three phases – survival, mobility and warfare, culminating in a final exercise which puts the newly-taught skills into practice. The Unit will then begin a period of Skills to Arms training, where each sub-unit will undertake their own bespoke training package, which includes working with other Royal Marine units and a variety of NATO allies.
WD20 will conclude with Exercise COLD RESPONSE, a large, multi-national NATO exercise which will build on from the success of BALTIC PROTECTOR 19. The exercise is spread over several weeks and will see Littoral Strike and Future Commando Force playing a key part, with the 45 Cdo Battlegroup operating from a variety of different platforms alongside other NATO partners.
Royal Marine Commandos assigned to M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines board a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion assigned the Air Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit while participating in a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise during Northern Viking 2022 on Keflavik Airbase, Iceland, April 8, 2022.
Northern Viking 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations, enabling multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Yvonna Guyette
Royal Marines from 42 Commando Boarding RFA Mounts Bay
Members of 42 Commando Fleet Contingency conducting high vertical assaults on RFA Mounts Bay as part of the Autonomous Advance Force 4.0 trials. 42 Commando Royal Marine’s Fleet Contingency Troop have been conducting high vertical assault drills onto RFA Mounts Bay in Portland Harbour, supported by Offshore Raiding Craft and Coxswains from 47 Commando RM.
The training forms part of the Autonomous Advance Force 4.0 trials, utilising modern communication systems and autonomous capabilities, including mobile ad hoc networking radios MPU5, Ghost drone, which provides a live feed to ground commanders and the MADFOX unmanned surface vessel, used to provide deception and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
Photos: LPhot Joe Cater
Royal Marine Commandos Practice Fighting Skills in Desert Heat
In the Mojave desert sands of California it isn’t the just the scorpions, spiders and snakes that can deliver a lethal bite.
For it is here that for the last six weeks the Royal Marines of 45 Commando have been honing their skills alongside their Dutch and US counterparts.
Based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre (MCAGCC) in 29 Palms, the Commandos have been living out of accommodation similar to air raid shelters while taking part in the annual exercise – Black Alligator.
Sergeant Paul McShannon said: “Black Alligator is an annual exercise that the Royal Marines use to hone their basic section level tactics all the way up to a live firing exercise and then the final exercise where everything they have worked on is put to the test.”
For the Combined Arms Live Firing Exercise (CALFEX) it was Yankee Company that, under cover of darkness, began a 12km 'yomp' over treacherous ground to form up by 5am and plan their assault.
Then two hours later, 7 Battery of 29 Commando who are usually based in Arbroath, started engaging enemy positions with 105mm rounds. This was followed by 81mm mortar fire from the mortar line using both high explosive rounds and smoke rounds, while snipers were deployed to take up position and take out high value targets as required.
The men of Y Company, who had stood poised and ready for the assault, made the 'break in' at 7.45am by placing an explosive charge. Using the ground to their advantage Y Company were able to put suppressing fire down onto the enemy position as a section of marines swept through, destroying all the enemy. And so, with typical Royal Marine determination, Y Company secured the first objective, leaving it to the Dutch Marines to secure the second.
Finally with supporting firepower from M1A1 Abrams Tanks, the Vikings and marines from W Company took the final position as F16s dropped inert 500lb and a 2000lb bombs – their objective completed.
Pictured are Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines conducting Close Quarter Marksmanship (CQM) in Belize as part of Exercise Curry Trail. This exercise sees participants develop jungle warfare capabilities for Commando Forces up to and including live fire section drills. February 8, 2019.
Royal Marines of 43 Commando train in various environment to test their skills in protecting the UK's nuclear deterrent.
Royal Marines have completed two weeks of rigorous training in the skills needed to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The marines of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group are held at very high-readiness year round, guarding the nuclear deterrent carried onboard the Vanguard-class submarines based at Faslane Naval Base in Scotland.
These expert warriors must be highly-skilled in fighting in a range of close-quarter combat environments and two weeks of exercises at training areas around the UK ensured they are razor sharp for duties.
The commandos battled in a range of complex environments and challenging scenarios that ensure they are ready to safeguard the nuclear deterrent whatever the situation.
Major Steve Lewis RM, Officer Commanding R-Squadron, said: “Exercise Driven Defender provided R-Squadron, 43 Commando, an opportunity to conduct challenging role training in a variety of complex and novel training environments across the UK following the cancellation of the original US based version of this exercise.
“Through a mixture of agile planning and innovative training design R-Squadron delivered realistic, high-end training whilst remaining aligned with the fluid national COVID control situation. The training activity comprising dismounted, vehicle mounted, and Helicopter Assault operations extensively tested the participating highly skilled, specialist commando forces.”
Under the cover of darkness, troops fought through a multi-storey building in pitch blackness taking down any threats hindering their mission.
Using every trick in their book, together with rapid, relentless and overwhelming force, the marines successfully overcame all hurdles the ‘enemy’ had for them.
Following this, the commandos moved to a former bunker in the South West where they carried out training missions hundreds of metres underground in a network of intersecting passages and railway tunnels.
The commandos were told that a ‘high-value asset’ had been taken deep into the bunker and employing a range of their combat skills, were tasked with defeating their adversary and liberating the asset, combining technology and agile thought to produce success.
The Faslane-based marines followed this up with close-quarter battle training at Wakefield Armed Police College, moving to the target area as a Helicopter Assault Force via CH47 Chinook before clearing through buildings testing their method of entry abilities to provide operational assurance in built-up environments.
Not resting on their laurels, the commandos moved onto their next scenario which saw an enemy preparing to fly out high-value assets.
Observation posts were positioned and a recce was carried out on RAF Woodvale, on Merseyside, determining enemy movements and positions, calculating the best way of taking down the threat without risking the safety of the assets.
The following day at first light and again deploying as a Helicopter Assault Force via Puma helicopters, the commandos struck, taking the runway and securing the base before their adversary could leave with the stolen assets.
Quick Reaction Forces were tasked with clearing aircraft hangars and taking down well-protected enemy positions throughout the training area.
The exercise reached its conclusion with troops conducting close-quarters battle training, using simulated and live ammunition in Fort Blockhouse in Gosport.
This realistic and confined activity concluded an excellent and varied mission specific training package, ultimately assuring the security of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
“This exercise has revalidated the high levels of knowledge, skills and ability required of each marine within R-Squadron allowing them to take their place with confidence delivering in support of the unit nuclear security mission,” added Maj Lewis.
23 October 2020
Photos: Royal Navy MOD/Copyright 2020
Dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II.
Lochaber, Near Spean Bridge, Scotland.
© 2019 Trevor Ager - Brightpix Photography
Le 15 août 2013, une équipe TAC-P (tactical air control party) du CPA 20, a réalisé un exercice de CAS (Close air support) au profit des Rafale de la force Epervier. La mission s’est déroulée sur le champ de tir de Massaguet, situé à une soixantaine de kilomètres au nord-est de N’Djamena.
L’exercice avait pour objectif d’entraîner et d’aguerrir en milieu désertique un détachement de six commandos parachutistes de l’air. En cas de demande d’appui feu rapproché, ces derniers ont pour responsabilité d’assurer l’acquisition de cibles, de gérer l’environnement proche, de guider les avions de combat et d’autoriser le tir.
Le scénario de l’exercice simulait un accrochage avec des insurgés. Après une phase de déploiement puis d’observation des mouvements de l’ennemi, les équipes TAC-P ont guidé les Rafale jusqu’à leur objectif. Différents modes opératoires ont été réalisés : la désignation de cible par coordonnées et la description de cible par radio. Une fois dans la zone d’opération, les avions Rafale sont intervenus en effectuant des démonstrations de force (show of force), des poursuites de cible au sol ou des simulations de tir.
Les militaires de la force Épervier assurent deux missions permanentes : ils garantissent la sécurité des ressortissants français résidant au Tchad et apportent un soutien aux forces armées et de sécurité (FADS) tchadiennes, conformément à l’accord de coopération technique signé entre la France et le Tchad.