Royal Marines complete Arctic preparations in Scottish Highlands
Royal Marines have stepped up their preparation for an Arctic deployment with an exercise in the Scottish Highlands.
Marines from 45 Commando were readying themselves for three months in Northern Norway and were joined by personnel from Commando Logistics Regiment and the Royal Artillery's 29 Commando 7 (Sphinx) Battery.
As well as the British personnel, the US Army's 1-10th Special Forces Group (Operational Detachment Alpha), or 'Green Berets', joined the commandos for Exercise Green Claymore.
A rigorous mountain warfare training programme saw commandos train day and night in all weather conditions.
Watching the preparations was the Mountain Leader Cadre, the Royal Marines who specialise in mountain and Arctic warfare.
Watch: Military presence in the Arctic is vital, defence expert says.
The first week – the basic course – saw personnel refresh navigation skills, with the duration and elevation of routes increasing – along with the weight personnel were expected to carry.
There were also daily marches, with briefs delivered on topics such as long-range communications equipment, kit preparation and mountain tactics.
For the majority of ranks who progressed on to the advanced course, weapons and ammunition scales were added to the already-heavy loads.
The third and final week put everything to the test in a Field Training Exercise – an opportunity for battlefield commanders to hone their tactics and strategies across the mountains.
The first marines will fly out to Norway shortly to begin preparations for the winter deployment in Norway, with the US troops set to deploy alongside the commandos.
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