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42 Commando launch dawn raid in Oman as part of exercise
Royal Marines have launched a dawn raid on a mock village in Oman as part of an exercise with the Omani Armed Forces.
42 Command Royal Marines from Bickleigh, near Plymouth, are on a four-month deployment in the Gulf on an annual operation called Cougar 13.
Images by LA(Phot) Jason Ballard.
42 Commando Royal Marines J Company went out on Operation Satunki 2.
Operation Satunki 2. This was an Afgan National Police lead partnered Operation in the area of Ghazni Street, Nadi-e Ali North, Helmand Province, Afganistan. It proved to be a successfull operation as J Company found a number of Improvised Explosive Devices hidden in a large haystack.
Images taken by La(Phot) David Hillhouse. BRITISH CROWN COPYRIGHT©2010
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 avalanche awareness training as part of the Cold Weather Warfare Course (CWWC). The scenario saw the commandos search for a missing colleague buried by an avalanche; they were aided in their search by a Norwegian search dog team. The training is taking place in the training areas near to Asegarden Camp, Norway, and is part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines winter training package known as 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
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 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
As American involvement deepened in Vietnam, the US Army recognized a need for light vehicles that could effectively operate in the jungle. The M113 armored personnel carrier was deemed sufficient, but there were not enough M113s to go around, and the Army wanted a light armored car that could be used by the Military Police. This would free up M113s for combat units. Cadillac-Gage submitted its V100 design to the Army, which accepted it in 1962 as the M706 Commando.
Cadillac-Gage had come up with a remarkable design in a relatively short time. To save time and provide parts commonality, the V100 used the same drive train as the M34 truck and the same engine as the M113. It was fast and amphibious, and if it was a little more high-profile than the Army liked, this also meant that it had a good field of fire from the weapons position. Cadillac-Gage offered a wide variety of weapons options, from a simple open-topped turret with a pintle-mounted M2HB .50 caliber machine gun, to a closed turret with machine guns of varying calibers, Mk 19 40mm grenade launchers, or even 20mm cannon. (Export V100s were offered with an option for 90mm guns or even 105mm howitzers.) All of this, plus thick armor for an armored car design, also made the V100 heavier than the Army preferred, and the vehicle would have a habit of rear axle failures--but crews liked the armor protection and heavy armament.
Though only employed by the Army's Military Police and USAF Security Police forces in American service in Vietnam, the M706 performed well and fairly reliably. The South Vietnamese loved the design, which was robust and easy to operate in the jungle, and it became the ARVN's primary scout car during the war. In both Army and USAF service, it was referred to as the "Duck" for its shape and amphibious capability.
Following Vietnam, the Army could see little use for the M706 in a European-style war, and the type was retired; most were expended as targets. The USAF would retain theirs into the 1990s. The V100 and its variants would also find considerable export success. Eventually 3200 were built and served with 34 nations; some remain in service to this day.
This M706 is on display inside the Russell Military Museum in Zion, Illinois, in an appropriately Vietnam-style display. Though it is painted in overall Army brown, this is likely a former USAF example, as it uses the M706E2's open-topped fighting compartment rather than the turreted versions used by the Army. It looks to be in excellent condition.
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
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 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)
French commando soldiers of French National Marine frigate "le Ventose", drive an ETRACTO craft during a presentation on February 12, 2012 off Fort-de-France on the French Caribbean island of Martinique. The Ventose is a specialist in "Go Fast" hunting that patrols the zone as part of a Caribbean anti-drugs agreement co-signed by France.
DO NOT use my pictures without my written permission, these images are under copyright. Contact me if you want to buy or use them. CarloAlessioCozzolino© All rights reserved
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
Commando Fixer of my new Delta Squad. Please comment and tell me what you think!
Helmet by Arealight.
Decals by MLDcustoms100
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
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/
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 Marine Boarding Teams practice fast roping from HMS Cornwall's Lynx.
HMS Cornwall is currently deployed as the British contribution and Flagship to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). The force of five including ships from Greece HS Navarinon, Italy ITS Libeccio, United States USS Donald Cook and Turkey TCG Gediz, fulfils a long standing commitment by NATO to maintain a visible deterent to piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
Check it out! This guy turned out totally awesome. I was amazed how well the vintage Kenner sculpting held up against the modern figure sculpting. Totally cool!
Suicide Commando playing live at Festival Kinetik 4.0 in Montreal. Their first live appearance in North America. They have some serious energy on stage.
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
A quick modification to my Alien Defense Unit Commando Helichopper to qualify it for the Put Your Brick Where Your Mouth Is contest. I just had to make it so it wasn't an official theme. I also improved a few small things here and there, including strengthening every joint connection. My original design was fairly fragile but despite the compound angles and hollow construction, this version is surprisingly durable. I built that little speeder thing cause I thought it was just like Lego to include a cheaply constructed "bad guy" vehicle. Both ships and figs combined weigh in at 214 grams.
43 Commando go stalking through the glen
Pictured are Royal Marines from 43 Commando demonstrating their extensive military skills and capabilities while conducting low-level training in and around Glen Fruin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Located at HM Naval Base Clyde, 43 Commando help safeguard the ships and submarines at the Naval Base and those transiting the Firth of Clyde.
Each year the unit conducts dozens of Fleet directed operations around the globe, deploying Fleet Standby Rifle Teams and Maritime Sniper Teams. The 500-strong unit also supports Royal Navy counter-narcotics and counter-piracy missions, boarding and searching suspect ships in hot-spots around the world.
Images by CPOA(Phot) Thomas McDonald
Members of 42 Commando, part of 3 Commando Brigade, during Exercise PASHTUN DAGGER at Copehill Down Village on Salisbury Plain, UK. 3 Commando Brigade will take over as Task Force Helmand from 16 Air Assault Brigade in April 2011.
For 16p, a British boy could thrill to the exploits of men at war. I selected this title for $1.00 from a stack of Commando comics at an antique store in The Houston Heights.
This version of "Warhorse" bears little resemblance to the popular book and movie about "Joey". But the horse is talented, and his rider is brave!
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
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)
Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, conduct a live fire deliberate attack on to enemy positions in the Mojave Desert during Exercise Black Alligator 13.Image by PO(Phot) Sean Clee CROWN COPYRIGHT
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.
Suicide Commando playing live at Festival Kinetik 4.0 in Montreal. Their first live appearance in North America. They have some serious energy on stage.
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 Marine Commandos are pictured during a Green Ops exercise conducted over a two day period in various areas around Woodbury Common and Tregantle Ranges in Devon.
Photographer: POA(Phot) Sean Clee
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)
30 Commando Support Squadron who are the Brigade Reconnaissance Force take part in an operation in Helmand province Afghanistan.
30 Commando Royal Marines are embarked on their first operational tour since WW2.
The Commando memorial at Spean Bridge.
The plaque on the memorial reads:
"The Commandos 1940-45
In the summer of 1940 when Britain's fortunes in World War II were at their lowest ebb and an enemy invasion was threatened, Winston Churchill boldly ordered the raising of an elite force to raid the enemy-held coastline of Europe and regain the initiative.
The new units, which initially consisted of volunteers from the regiments and corps of the British Army, were called 'Commandos'.
Within weeks they were in action in Europe later in the Middle East and the Far East. During the next five years they fought in every theatre of war with such success that the word 'Commando' became feared by the enemy - yet respected by friendly forces.
In 1942 the Commando Basic Training Centre was established in the Scottish Highlands at Achnacarry. There potential Commando soldiers (who by then came from not only the British Army but also the Royal marines and the Allied Armies) underwent their tough and purposeful training. Only those who successfully completed all the course were accepted and privileged to wear the famous Green Beret. This distinctive head-dress was acknowledged as the hallmark of the highest standards of military training, self-discipline, physical endurance, initiative, bravery and courage whilst under their simple motto United We Conquer a comradeship beyond literary description was born, fostered and flourished.
For their valour in action the Commandos earned thirty-eight battle honours and many awards including eight Victoria Crosses, but many made the supreme sacrifice, no fewer than 1,700 Commando soldiers lost their lives and others were seriously wounded. It was a record that prompted Winston Churchill to pay the following tribute to the Commandos: "We may feel sure that nothing of which we have any knowledge or record has ever been done by mortal men which surpasses their feats of arms. Truly we may say of them when shall their glory fade."
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
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 are Royal Marines of 4 Troop, Bravo Company, 40 Commando at Sangin. As some members of the company move through FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson, in preparation for the handover to the Americans at the end of Op Herrick 12.
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 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
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
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