Royal Marines Begin Cold Weather Training In Norway
All personnel deployed have been through a 'rigorous' quarantine period and are training in a bubble.
Royal Marines have begun training in the Arctic, testing their skills in one of the world's most extreme environments.
Members of 45 Commando and a range of specialist units from 3 Commando Brigade are in Norway as part of their 2021 winter deployment.
It comes after two allied cold weather exercises were cancelled in the country following a coronavirus outbreak.
However, crucial training has resumed in the short-term for personnel who have been through quarantine.
45 Commando is conducting the essential training as the Lead Commando Unit, its Commanding Officer said.
Lieutenant Colonel Innes Catton explained that as Cold Weather Warfare specialists, they are held at "very high readiness" and the training is "vital to retaining capability to deploy anywhere in the world".
With about four hours of daylight and sub-zero temperatures, the Green Berets are being put through their paces by instructors of the Royal Marines Mountain Leader Cadre.
The Cold Weather Warfare Course revolves around survival, mobility and warfare to ensure the personnel are capable of operating in freezing environments, the Royal Navy said.
As part of the survival training, the Royal Marines build shelters, live off the land and deal with cold shock after plunging into water through a hole in the ice.
Marines of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group and British Army troops from 24 Commando Royal Engineers and 29 Commando Royal Artillery are also deployed on the training programme.
Cover image: Personnel practise their skiing skills on Cold Weather Warfare Course in Norway (Picture: MOD).