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Royal Marines held at high-readiness for maritime security operations have pyshed themselves in a vast underground comokex beneath a town in the South West ahead of being deployed to the Mediterranean.
Marines from Juliet Company of Plymouth-based 42 Commando work in small teams on Royal Navy warships around the world, ready to react to emergencies and specialist missions, like counter-piracy and boarding operations.
J Company is also the home of the Fleet Contingency Troop (FCT) – experts in a range of security missions and the UK’s only force trained in opposed boarding operations (known as Level 3 (Opposed)) outside of Special Forces.
The complex of tunnels became a facility for the potential relocation of the government in times of crisis during the 1950s with the threat of nuclear war looming large.
These days, parts of it are a useful training area; a place where the commandos can push themselves in the art of close-quarters combat, testing their well-rehearsed tactics, techniques and procedures to quickly assess and deal with threats in even the trickiest of environments.
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Photos: Royal Navy
Commando Sev of my new Delta Squad. Please comment and tell me what you think!
Helmet by Arealight.
Decals by MLDcustoms100
Exercise Black Alligator
Images captured show Royal Marines from M Company 42 Commando making a helicopter insertion into the Mojave Dessert. The troops were flown in by Merlin helicopter during the initial stages of the week long final exercise of Black Alligator. 27th November 2012
MOD Crown Copyright2012
The Commando Memorial is a Category A listed monument in Lochaber, Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II. Situated around a mile from Spean Bridge, it overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, it is one of Scotland’s best-known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction offering views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr.
12th May 2021
Miniature warriors from Families across 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, assembled to face Soldiers of the 41st Engineer Battalion during the Commando brigade's second "Nerf Wars" match held inside a makeshift battlefield configured throughout the Magrath Sports Complex basketball court, April 10, 2019, at Fort Drum, New York. Foam darts littered the gym floor during the "just for fun" event as opposing forces fueled by popcorn and cotton candy engaged in a play firefight.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200)
Images captured show a Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200) in the 29 Palms training area of California. Over 500 Royal Marines from 42 Commando were involved in the dawn raid. The mission saw the Commandos clear enemy from buildings and surrounding terrain. The attack was the final phase of the six week long training exercise, Black Alligator – December 2012
Photographs by PO (phot) Sean Clee Crown Copyright 2012
MC-130J Commando II from RAF Mildenhall flying under the full moon.
Canon EOS 7D - EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - ISO3200 1/50 sec f/5.6
K Company, 42 Commando RM Training in Mojave Desert
Plymouth-based Royal Marines have commenced training on extensive live-fire ranges in the Mojave desert, California.
Working from the US Marine Corps’ Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Kilo Company, 42 Commando RM have been using a mock-up Middle Eastern village in this vast training facility with its 932 square miles of desert terr
ain in which to operate.
One serial saw the Bickleigh-based marines using ‘simunition’ which enables firing without the risks associated with live ammunition; it still hurts if you are hit though! A bit like paintball, the round contains a small amount of blue or pink dye to indicate a successful shot.
Major Ben Halsted RM, Officer Commanding K Company, is pleased with how the training has gone so far. “Simunition is a halfway house between dry and live firing; in a close quarters environment it’s as close as you can get to the real thing, down to the fact that it does hurt when it hits you in certain places.”
“The pain factor is useful because once the guys have had a few strikes on hands and other sensitive places, they’ll get quite wary. What this is doing is blending the drill with tactical considerations; this will expose any weaknesses in their drills and they’ll learn very quickly from that.”
K Company are set to enjoy a single day of leave in Palm Springs after an intense week of training, despite a 0600hrs departure time on their day off, following which they will continue with their live fire training package.
“They’re really looking forward to it and I think a change of scenery will be extremely welcome and very well earned indeed.”
Image shows members of K Coy in action during their Simunition Training at the 'The Village', 29 Palms. CROWN COPYRIGHT
My C46 Commando, the flagship of my fleet, received new paint by Louis Stewart Designs. I love the blue of the engine! It was made for the cargo and passenger versions. My USAF version will not change from it's original paint by Jimi Xi. And I will fly both still! So pretty!
'Some highly decorated soldiers in the Red Army who've suffered debilitating mutilation can end up awakening to find themselves interred in robotic shells. Prosthetic Commandos are primarily used as bodyguards for dignitaries and in perimeter defense at missile silos located near the border or in high risk locales. They're a particularly favoured ceremonial figurehead in the Warsaw Pact's elaborate military parades. '
-Keith Thompson
This is my Lego version of Keith Thompson's awesome 'Prosthetic Commando', my favourite drawing from his collection. See the original one here.
British Royal Marine Commandos face immediate enemy contact after being inserted by U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 helicopters in the vicinity of Namsos, Norway. The troop delivery reinforced offensive action to take a local bridge identified as critical to the operation during a field training exercise as a part of Exercise Cold Response 2016. Cold Response 16 improves capabilities between NATO allies and partners and creates a foundation for future cooperation. This exercise enables the NATO alliance to work together and demonstrate both our unwavering commitment to our collective defense under the North Atlantic Treaty and our ability to counter transnational threats.
Xero, the prototype Republic Commando.
Armed with experimental weaponry and gear, a lone clone trooper was sent off world for commando method tactical training. The result was a warrior who played by his own set of rules, equipped with his own bag of tricks.
Completely self sufficient, this prototype trooper ushered in a new era of enemy engagement. In what would prove to be his final mission, Xero was air dropped onto a manufacturing planet to neutralize several droid factories as a "proof of concept" that this new training method was indeed a sound investment for the Republic.
Upon deployment, Xero's shuttle and transport ship were immediately destroyed. Presumed dead, the Republic planned to shelf the commando program indefinitely ... until 48 hours later, six of Xero's seven factory targets were confirmed destroyed. On schedule. Cut off from communication, the Republic brass waited anxiously to see if Xero's seventh target, the Droid Intelligence Programming Core, would fall in the next 12 hours as planned. It did. Along with nine other targets.
In response to these events, Separatists sent unparalleled reinforcements to their prize manufacturing planet, making recovery of Commando Xero impossible. He was never heard from again, and presumed dead. His successful effort, however, green lit the Republic Commando program to eventually become one of the most flourishing initiatives to date.
Royal Marines from Reconnaissance Troop 42 Commando conducting Modern Urban Combat (MUC) drills. The training was part of Exercise Black Alligator and was conducted in Area Delta of the Mount Facility at 29 Palms in California, USA.
Crown Copyright 2012
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 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 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
USSOCOM's Para-Commandos parashute team during the opening ceremonies for the Tampa Bay AirFest on MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida.
Royal Marines from Reconnaissance Troop 42 Commando conducting Modern Urban Combat (MUC) drills. The training was part of Exercise Black Alligator and was conducted in Area Delta of the Mount Facility at 29 Palms in California, USA.
Crown Copyright 2012
42 Commando Royal Marines - Exercise Black Alligator
Images show Mortar Troop from 42 Commando Royal Marines illuminating enemy positions in the mountains of the Mojave Desert during the week long final exercise of Black Alligator.
Photos: PO (Phot) Sean Clee MOD Crown copyright 2012
K COMPANY, 42 COMMANDO RM TRAINING IN MOJAVE DESERT
PLYMOUTH-based Royal Marines have commenced training on extensive live-fire ranges in the Mojave Desert, California.
Working from the US Marine Corps’ Air-Ground Combat Centre in Twenty nine Palms, Kilo Company, 42 Commando RM have been using a mock-up Middle Eastern village in this vast training facility with its 932 square miles of desert ter
rain in which to operate.
One serial saw the Bickleigh-based unit carrying out a Troop Level Advanced to Contact exercise which was carried out at Nobles Pass, 29 Palms.
This involves three sections from Kilo Coy advancing on a target one suppressing, one flanking and the third reorganising. The three sections rotate in these roles until the Goal is complete. Nobles Pass is a 100 metre long range with a lot more rolling ground and a lot more cover than the other ranges in the area.
Major Ben Halsted RM, Officer Commanding K said “ So far it’s going very good, I’m very impressed with this range it’s a great setup. It’s such different terrain it makes a lot of difference for the lads to come and operate slightly differently. The troops are coming together, the guys are still working very hard l and now we are starting to see it come together at troop level”.
CROWN COPYRIGHT
The Commando Medal is awarded to the man who throughout training, shows to an outstanding degree, the qualities of the Commando Spirit. These are defined as:
Leadership, Unselfishness, Cheerfulness in adversity, Determination, Courage.
Pictured: British Army Commando from 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery , 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
HMS Albion’s embarked royal Marines from X Coy 45 Cdo RM operating in Estonia in the main amphibious element of Exercise Spring Storm 2023.
Royal Marines conduct beach raid in Estonia during NATO exercise.
Around 100 marines from 45 Commando conducted an exercise to stage an amphibious raid at a beach in Estonia, as part of a major NATO exercise Members of 45 Commando deployed from the Royal Navy amphibious assault ship, HMS Albion, under the cover of darkness on Saturday.
The commandos manoeuvred their Inflatable Raiding Craft, which can travel at speeds of up to 20knots, through the waves to close in on the beach at Kaberneeme, on the north coast of Estonia.
The beach raid is just the latest in a series of planned scenarios the UK Armed Forces are exercising as part of a 14,000-strong deployment from 11 NATO countries for Exercise Spring Storm.
The beach raid scenario saw 45 Commando facing off against Estonia’s Armed Forces, with an Estonian naval missile unit acting as the marines’ target.
Photo: LPhot Bill Spurr
Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200)
Images captured show a Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200) in the 29 Palms training area of California. Over 500 Royal Marines from 42 Commando were involved in the dawn raid. The mission saw the Commandos clear enemy from buildings and surrounding terrain. The attack was the final phase of the six week long training exercise, Black Alligator – December 2012
Photographs by PO (phot) Sean Clee Crown Copyright 2012
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
Exercise Black Alligator
Images captured show Royal Marines from M Company 42 Commando making a helicopter insertion into the Mojave Dessert. The troops were flown in by Merlin helicopter during the initial stages of the week long final exercise of Black Alligator. 27th November 2012
MOD Crown Copyright2012
Exercise Black Alligator
Images captured show Royal Marines from M Company 42 Commando making a helicopter insertion into the Mojave Dessert. The troops were flown in by Merlin helicopter during the initial stages of the week long final exercise of Black Alligator. 27th November 2012
MOD Crown Copyright2012
Royal Marines from 40 Commando Royal Marines participate in an assault on Range 210 as part of Exercise Black Alligator 13 aboard the Combat Center Oct. 20, 2013.
Royal Marines from 40 Commando Royal Marines culminated weeks of training and preparation aboard the Combat Center with an assault on Range 210 as part of Exercise Black Alligator 13, Oct. 20, 2013.
They are in the USA to hone their warfighting skills alongside their US colleagues at the sprawling United States Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre, which has nearly 1,000 sq miles of ideal training ground.
(Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)
Miniature warriors from Families across 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, assembled to face Soldiers of the 41st Engineer Battalion during the Commando brigade's second "Nerf Wars" match held inside a makeshift battlefield configured throughout the Magrath Sports Complex basketball court, April 10, 2019, at Fort Drum, New York. Foam darts littered the gym floor during the "just for fun" event as opposing forces fueled by popcorn and cotton candy engaged in a play firefight.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
Miniature warriors from Families across 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, assembled to face Soldiers of the 41st Engineer Battalion during the Commando brigade's second "Nerf Wars" match held inside a makeshift battlefield configured throughout the Magrath Sports Complex basketball court, April 10, 2019, at Fort Drum, New York. Foam darts littered the gym floor during the "just for fun" event as opposing forces fueled by popcorn and cotton candy engaged in a play firefight.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
42 COMMANDO ROYAL MARINES K COY IN NAHR-E SARAJ SOUTH
K Coy of 42 Commando Royal Marines deployed to Nahre-e Saraj South, Afganistan in April 2011 and were working independantly to 42 Commando Royal Marines who are based in Nadi-e Ali North. Images taken by LA(Phot) Hillhouse BRITISH CROWN COPYRIGHT©2010
45 Commando On Exercise Cold Response
The New Year saw the main body of 45 Commando deploy to northern Norway on Exercise LUPUS 2. This afforded the Commando the golden opportunity to refresh its ‘survive, move and fight’ skills in the Arctic environment in preparation for Exercise Cold Response.
This winter deployment has provided welcome Afghanistan respite and an equally welcome return to the Commando’s roots, grown over three decades of regular Arctic forays. The winter has been hallmarked by unpredictable weather, forcing snow to be ‘chased’; a cohort with much operational but limited cold weather experience; and some compressed timelines. No matter the frictions, as ever, the defining feature of the trip has been Royal Marines rising admirably to every challenge, proving their ability to survive, move and fight in the harshest of conditions.
Summing up the deployment thus far, the Commanding Officer of 45 Commando, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said:
“This trip has provided a wonderful opportunity to refresh some of our essential core amphibious and cold weather skills in the harshest environment there is. The training has been progressive, challenging, rewarding and fun. 45 Commando Royal Marines has thrived on this deployment and stands ready to fight and win on operations around the world”.
At the invitation of the Norwegian government, Exercise Cold Response is a crisis response operation set in a high intensity, multi-threat cold weather environment and is directed by the Norwegian National Joint Headquarters. The two week long exercise involved a multi-national task group of troops, air assets and a variety of amphibious shipping. One of those multi-national elements attached to 45 Commando was the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and old friendships were rekindled as both embarked together to warm welcomes aboard HMS Ocean and the Dutch warship Johan De Witt.
Major Tim Hiel, the USMC operations officer, said:
“We have been looking forward to Exercise Cold Response and have not been disappointed. For the 200 US Marines participating, this represents several rare opportunities – operating in the Arctic environment, honing our amphibious techniques and, of course, we always enjoy working alongside the Royal Marines. I’m confident that we will return home better prepared as individuals and as a Unit”.
Exercise Cold Response provided for many the inaugural opportunity to live on ship, practice beach landings, project ashore into the fight and thereby witness firsthand the fundamentals of the Royal Marines’ undeniable amphibious utility and flexibility. During the landing phase, Commandos raided ashore by helicopter and landing craft before the main body of Marines were landed. With the beachhead established, 45 Commando out-manoeuvred the enemy, played by the Norwegian army, and delivered a devastating deliberate attack.
Although Royal Marines train in this wonderfully uncompromising environment less than they did, its value endures beyond doubt. The Royal Marines’ cold weather and amphibious skills have been learnt or refreshed such that their flame continues to burn brightly; but deployments such as this also breed teamwork, cohesion and resilience and underpin the Commando’s recent success on operations in Afghanistan.
Lima Company 42 Commando Royal Marines - Exercise Black Alligator
Images captured show a dawn raid by Lima Company 42 Commando Royal Marines on to objective Ruby. The mission saw the commando’s clear enemy from buildings and the surrounding terrain. The attack was part of 42 Commando's week long final exercise of Black Alligator. 26th to 30th November 2012
Photos: PO (Phot) Sean Clee MOD Crown copyright 2012
Lima Company 42 Commando Royal Marines - Exercise Black Alligator
Images captured show a dawn raid by Lima Company 42 Commando Royal Marines on to objective Ruby. The mission saw the commando’s clear enemy from buildings and the surrounding terrain. The attack was part of 42 Commando's week long final exercise of Black Alligator. 26th to 30th November 2012
Photos: PO (Phot) Sean Clee MOD Crown copyright 2012
Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200)
Images captured show a Commando level attack on to objective LEAD (Range 200) in the 29 Palms training area of California. Over 500 Royal Marines from 42 Commando were involved in the dawn raid. The mission saw the Commandos clear enemy from buildings and surrounding terrain. The attack was the final phase of the six week long training exercise, Black Alligator – December 2012
Photographs by PO (phot) Sean Clee Crown Copyright 2012
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 14: Soldiers from the Air Infantry and commando (Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air) march down the Champs-Elysees during the annual Bastille day parade on July 14, 2011 in Paris, France. The French National Day celebrates its revolution in the storming of the Bastille in 1789 through various parades and official ceremonies throughout France.
Commandos set their sights on close-combat training
Royal Marines of 40 Commando honed their day and night-fighting skills with a week of intense training in mock towns in Kent. The Norton Manor-based commandos practised close quarters battle on special ranges at Lydd and Hythe, trying out an enhanced rifle sight to improve their already-impressive marksmanship.
Royal Marines of 40 Commando stand guard at the façade of a house on the ranges at Lydd and Hythe in Kent as Exercise Hawk – a week of close-combat training – draws to a close.
The commandos decamped from their base at Norton Manor in Somerset to the two training areas on the Channel.
The ranges at Lydd, about five miles west of Dungeness, have been used by troops for more than 150 years, while those at Hythe, a dozen miles to the east, are two centuries old and are dominated by a couple of Martello towers and Grand Redoubt, built to keep Napoleon at bay.
Some 200 years later, the ranges are in use almost daily – and have been adapted to meet the demands of today’s Armed Forces, with a mock modern-day housing estate, complete with roads, roundabouts and cars, built at both, while the Lydd ranges are strewn with wrecked old armoured vehicles.
40 Commando made full use of their week in Kent, from the annual combat marksmanship test to compound clearance and defending forward operating bases.
There was also the opportunity for the Royals to let loose with heavy weapons and each company carried out nighttime live firing.
And for the first time 40 tested the new ELCAN sight – there’s a small red cross for the aiming point – which is easier to use and better in the dark than the existing sights; troops still need to understand its capability, how to mount it on SA80 rifles and how to zero it – all of which was done in Kent.
For close quarters battle (also known as close combat or, in old parlance, hand-to-hand fighting), a separate sight is fitted on top of the ELCAN sight to allow the commandos to rapidly engage their targets.
As well as live firing, the Norton Manor men also used ‘simunition’ – simulated ammunition, which possesses the dynamics of the real thing, minus the lethality – to add an extra layer of realism to Exercise Hawk.
“40 Commando had plenty of time to practise close quarters skills and the simunition added a realistic dimension to the training,” explained Lt Dougal Loadman.