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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
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
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)
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, have been perfecting specialist boarding skills and practicing saving downed aircrew as they operate at the heart of the UK Carrier Strike Group
Photos: Royal Navy
I've wanted to do one of these since I got my hands on the limited Rex outfit. Of all my characters, Lance is most suited to this gear coz he looks badass in it. LOL
The spot was also very out-of-the-blue. It was basically, "oh that's a nice spot, let's just shoot there!" Thank you mum for driving me around and finding this spot. Also thank you for holding out the umbrella and keeping him out of the glaring sun while I was posing him.
It was hilarious coz a postman drove by in his scooter and he actually stopped and spied on us with his BINOCULARS. I think he was worried we were dumping a dead body or something.
I'm proud of this pic coz no tweaking or photoshopping required at all, just sizing and watermarking. It's all natural.
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Lance is an Iplehouse Dexter RS
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A U.K. Royal Marine with 45 Commando participates a combined operation part of exercise Blue Raptor in Frasselli, France, Nov. 20, 2015. The Allied Maritime Basing Initiative is a proof-of-concept to provide the U.S. and NATO allies a year-round, maritime-based crisis response force by leveraging the amphibious capabilities residing in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo/Released)
Pictured Lt Tom Lucy of K Company 42 Commando on patrol with his section outside of Patrol Base 5 in Helmand Province, Afhanistan.
Athlete swaps Olympic glory for the Royal Marines.
After winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, Lieutenant Tom Lucy has finally achieved his childhood dream of becoming a Royal Marine.
As if triumphing at the Olympics wasn't enough, Lt Lucy wanted to join the most elite team in the world and become a member of the Armed Forces and deploy to Afghanistan.
At the half-way point of his tour leading the troops of K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines in Nahr-e Saraj south in Helmand Province, Lt Lucy is facing challenges that are slightly different to those he's been used to.
After helping Great Britain's eight-man rowing crew finish just behind Canada in the Beijing finals in 2008, he decided to fulfil his childhood ambition of joining the Royal Marines and earning the coveted green beret. This meant giving up his chance of rowing in the London 2012 Olympics.
Lt Lucy said:
"Joining the Royal Marines was always my life-time ambition; ever since I was six that's all I've wanted to do. I started rowing when I was fifteen. I had a brilliant time and got as far as I'd ever hoped and dreamed I'd get and after that it was time for a change."
Every day in Afghanistan is different for Lt Lucy and he can find himself patrolling with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, to providing security for veterinary engagements.
He said:
"It's very important work and we're helping to build the capability of the Afghan forces every single day. We're always out and about developing our relationship with the local people and deterring insurgents.
Lt Lucy learned some vital strengths during his time as an athlete that are easily transferrably to his current job in the Royal Marines, such as staying fit and working in a team.
With only a year to go until the London 2012 Olympics, Lt Lucy knows he's now where he truly belongs:
"When I come to watch the 2012 Olympics I will feel a pang of wishing I was there, but I know it'll only be temporary.
"I really enjoy the job and my team are doing a fantastic job. Tangible progress is being made and I get immense satisfaction from seeing the differences that we are helping to make for the Afghan people. It's immensely rewarding.
"If I'd carried on rowing for four years it would have made the transition into this career a lot more difficult and also there's no guarantee that you'll get there.
"The four years of Olympiad is frought with dangers of illness and injury and on race day there's no guarantee you're going to achieve the result you want. So I'm happy to be where I am."
However, being the tender age of 23, Lt Lucy hasn't ruled out future competitions and you may see him in Rio de Janeiro in 2016:
"I won't get back into it too soon, as there's still things I want to achieve in the Royal Marines, but I've not written it off at all. If I can get myself back into shape I'll give it another shot in the near future."
139 Troop Kings Squad Pass-out Parade. The ceremony took place on the Parade ground at Commando Training Centre, Lympstone on Friday the 21st September 2012. The presenting officer for the occasion Lieutenant Colonel N Sutherland MBE Royal Marines Commanding Officer 42 Commando.
Crown Copyright 2012
The “Pando Commando” reflects candlelight in the rain from a festive jack-o’-lantern display, October 27, 2019, at Fort Drum, New York. The skiing panda, or “Pando Commando,” has recently gained popularity across the “Commando” brigade, or 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). The informal insignia originates from the Pando Valley near Camp Hale, Colorado, where the 10th Light Division (Alpine) was activated in 1943. When the unit was re-designated as the 10th Mountain Division (LI) in 1944, the Pando Commando remained as an unofficial logo and a piece of the division’s history. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
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 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
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)
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.
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
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
The Ensign Commando Was Made From 1946 - 50 And Reputedly Got Its Name Because A Similar Camera Had Been Made For The British Military During WW2. It's A Dual Format 6 X 6 Or 6 X 4.5 Cm Folder Using 120 Reel Film, And Has An Unusual CRF Focussing Mechanism Actuating The Film Plane Internally, Rather Than The More Usual Movement Of The Lens. AFAIK, Only The Mamiya Six Shared This Feature, And The Jury Is Still Out On Who Came Up With The Idea First.
There Were Three Commando Variants, But You'll Have To Look Closely To Spot The Slight Differences. All Had Uncoated f3.5 75mm Ensar Triplet Lenses And Epsilon Shutters, And Were Solidly Made. They Were Also VERY Expensive, Costing Over 50 GBP In 1947, Which Equates To Well Over A Thousand Pounds in Today's Values. By 1949 Ensign Had Dropped The Price Of A Commando Down To 43 GBP, But That Was Still A Lot Of Dosh.
Astute Folks Will Also Note The Apparently Anomalous Situation Of All Three Variants Having A Cold Accessory Shoe, But No Flash Synch. That's Because The Shoe Is There Not For A Flash Gun, But To Take The Commando Close-Up VF Which Is Used Along With A Lens Dioptre. To See One Of These rare Items Fitted, And To Read About The Commando In Depth, You Can't Do Better Than Consult Adrian Richmond's Excellent Feature in His Ensign Website At:
www.ensign.demon.co.uk/commando.htm
'50 Quid For An Uncoated Triplet, Guv? I Reckons I'll Wait For That Selfix 12-20 Wot I Read About In The AP, Which Has A Coated 4-Element F3.5 Ross Xpres But Costs Half The Price ..... ' And They Did!
Liam doesn't waste energy lifting his butt of the ground - he just scoots at high speed across the floor like a commando crawling under the barbed wire (you know, like in "Stripes").
Image shows the VIP visit of Brigadier General George W. Smith, Jr. Commanding General, MAGTF Training Command and Commanding General , Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre.
The Brigadier General was escorted by the Commanding Officer of 42 Royal Marines Commando Lieutenant Colonel Neil Sutherland MBE RM and the Regiment Sergeant Major Matthew Tomlinson.
Image shows the Brigadier Generals visit to Kilo Company( Fire Support Group) as the demonstrate firing 50 Cal' Heavy Machine Gun(HMG).
CROWN COPYRIGHT
Marines end cold weather training with three hour battle
Images captured show ranks from 45 Commando Royal Marines, Commando Logistics Regiment (CLR) and Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) conducting ski training as part of the Cold Weather Warfare Course (CWWC). The Commandos started their training with a 5km insertion on snow shoes. The troops spent their first three nights of the four week course in ten man tents where temperatures dropped to a bone chilling -20. The training took place at Asegarden, Norway and is part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines winter cold weather training package known as Exercise Cetus 13
Royal Marines have completed six weeks of Arctic training with an all-out assault on one of the relics of Hitler’s vaunted Fortress Europe. The green berets of Arbroath-based 45 Commando, plus the Commando Logistic Regiment from North Devon and their supporting air power, the Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, staged a three-hour attack on a wartime fortress near Harstad in northern Norway – as the climax of Exercise Cetus 13. The marines decamped from their bases in the UK to join the Norwegians at the small port, some 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle for Exercise Cetus 13. There is no harsher environment in which to live, work and fight – deep snow, ice, temperatures fall regularly below -30˚C (and take it down another 20˚C with wind chill). Such conditions test men and machines to the limit. Around 135 green berets from 45 Commando – currently the UK’s lead commando group, who are ready to deploy around the world at short notice should they be required – crossed the North Sea for Cetus 13, using the Norwegian Army camp at Åsegarden, just outside Harstad, as their base. Having mastered the arts of survival in the Arctic – living in snow holes (a man-made ‘cave’ carved out of the snow), skiing, marching on snow shoes for five kilometres (three miles) with 30kg (66lb) of kit on their backs, personal care (such as not touching exposed metal) – it was time to move on to the fighting element of the training.
Photographs by PO (Phot) Sean Clee – MOD/Crown copyright 2013
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
TAUNTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 16: Royal Marines from 40 Commando march out of the parade ground after being presented with their campaign medals following a six-month deployment in Sangin, Afghanistan at Norton Camp Barracks in the presence of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on November 16, 2010 in Taunton, England. During their deployment to Afghanistan, 14 marines were killed and 11 were seriously injured. About 600 marines from the base at Norton Fitzwarren in Somerset had been serving since April 2010 in the Sangin area of Helmand Province before it was taken over by US forces in September.
French Marine Commandos taking part in the large scale American Amphibious warfare exercise Bold Alligator 2012
© ECPAD - Tous droits réservés 2010
All these excellent photos are from Ecpad : www.ecpad.fr/
Rank: Commando
Weapon: Scavenged
These special-operations soldiers are one of the smallest groups, but are put through the most rigorous training of all the Rebel factions. In their first week of deployment, new Commandos must first kill a number of imperials with their hands to scavenge their first weapons.
Using foot, Wergmuffin, horse and anything else available to them for trasportation, these rough-and-ready men can survive in almost any part of Brichstopia.
Mentioned Character(s): Jaak Onidor, Jon Barrett, Anne Kroftt
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.
U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa and U.K. Royal Marines with 45 Commando clear rooms during a combined operation part of exercise Blue Raptor in Frasselli, France, Nov. 20, 2015. The Allied Maritime Basing Initiative is a proof-of-concept to provide the U.S. and NATO allies a year-round, maritime-based crisis response force by leveraging the amphibious capabilities residing in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo/Released)
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
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
U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa and U.K. Royal Marines with 45 Commando clear rooms during a combined operation part of exercise Blue Raptor in Frasselli, France, Nov. 20, 2015. The Allied Maritime Basing Initiative is a proof-of-concept to provide the U.S. and NATO allies a year-round, maritime-based crisis response force by leveraging the amphibious capabilities residing in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Keonaona C. Paulo/Released)
Belgian Para-Commando serving with the Light Brigade, In Gaobon Africa during exercse Tropical Storm 2015
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
Nederlandse Antillen, Curacao. 11 februari 2015
De "Optreden Waterrijke Gebieden Specialistenploeg" (OWG-Specploeg) van het Korps Commando Troepen beoefend haar optreden in de wateren rond Curacao.
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.
The commando memorial designed by Scott Sutherland stands 17feet tall (5.2 metres) facing southward toward Ben Nevis, was unveiled in 1952 by the Queen mother. It is located approxamately 1 mile northwest of Spean Bridge at the junction of the A82 and B8004, the location was chosen because it is on route from Spean Bridge railway station to the former commando training centre at nearby Achnacarry Castle. Arriving prospective commandos would de-train after a 14 hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed march the 7 miles to the training centre in full kit and weapons weighing 36 llbs (16 kilo). Anyone not completing the march within 60 minutes were immediatley RTU'd.
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
French Marine Commandos taking part in the large scale American Amphibious warfare exercise Bold Alligator 2012
© ECPAD - Tous droits réservés 2010
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The “Pando Commando” glows in night vision from a festive jack-o’-lantern display, October 27, 2019, at Fort Drum, New York. The skiing panda, or “Pando Commando,” has recently gained popularity across the “Commando” brigade, or 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). The informal insignia originates from the Pando Valley near Camp Hale, Colorado, where the 10th Light Division (Alpine) was activated in 1943. When the unit was re-designated as the 10th Mountain Division (LI) in 1944, the Pando Commando remained as an unofficial logo and a piece of the division’s history. (U.S. Army photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, begin setting up tents which function as the brigade's command post in tactical environments during a command post training exercise, November 18, at Fort Drum, New York. This CPX is the second in a series of training events allowing the brigade staff to rehearse, execute and evaluate the collective training tasks essential to the brigade’s mission. Soldiers across the Commando brigade have spent months progressing from individual to collective mission essential tasks as they work toward brigade level certification at the Joint Readiness Training Center. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Paige Behringer)
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)