Royal Navy chefs, helicopter engineers, logistics experts and ground and air crew have learned how to survive and fight in the Arctic – just like the Royal Marines they serve alongside. Regardless of their rank or role, around 200 personnel from the Commando Helicopter Force have endured sub-zero temperatures, sleeping in tents and living off the land to ensure they can … [Read more...] about Naval helicopter crews learn to handle sub-zero conditions to support Arctic commandos
Royal Marines
New head of the Royal Marines appointed
A new head of the Royal Marines has been appointed during a ceremony in Devon. Lieutenant General Rob Magowan passed the role to Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gwyn Jenkins, at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone. It brings to an end Lt Gen Magowan’s second stint at the helm after 18 months, handing the keys of Corps over to Gen Jenkins, as the most senior … [Read more...] about New head of the Royal Marines appointed
Commandos take plunge in daring leap from helicopters off Devon coast
Royal Marines leapt ten feet from Chinook helicopters into the Bristol Channel as they tested some of their most daring Commando skills. The Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando were picked up by Royal Air Force helicopters on the dunes of Braunton Burrows in North Devon to practise what is known as ‘helicasting’. It’s a technique which gets Commandos into the action … [Read more...] about Commandos take plunge in daring leap from helicopters off Devon coast
Hunt is on for the ‘lost wreck’ of the Falklands as HMS Albion marks tragedy’s 40th anniversary
Royal Navy and Royal Marines amphibious experts and veterans of 1982 are making a determined effort to finally find the ‘lost wreck’ of the Falklands campaign. Through painstaking research, highly-accurate computer modelling, detailed understanding of weather and sea conditions, they hope to narrow down the search area based on where Landing Craft Foxtrot 4 was last … [Read more...] about Hunt is on for the ‘lost wreck’ of the Falklands as HMS Albion marks tragedy’s 40th anniversary
Commandos launch stealth raid from Royal Navy sub as Arctic training intensifies
Against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains of a Norwegian fjord an elite team of commandos launch a raid in a small boat from a Royal Navy submarine. UK forces used the largest winter exercise hosted in Norway in 30 years to demonstrate the unique combined capabilities of the Royal Marines and Submarine Service. In Lyngenfjord, three dozen miles east of Tromso deep … [Read more...] about Commandos launch stealth raid from Royal Navy sub as Arctic training intensifies
Bear Grylls joins Royal Marines on Arctic exercises
Honorary Colonel Bear Grylls joined the Royal Marines as they honed crucial Arctic warfare skills in Norway last week. The adventurer and TV presenter dropped in to see the commandos train and take on the infamous ice-breaking drill, which involves being plunged into freezing water to test reactions to cold shock. Honorary Colonel Bear said: “It’s always inspiring to … [Read more...] about Bear Grylls joins Royal Marines on Arctic exercises
Royal Marines Pioneer Technology and Treatment to Tackle Heat Illness
Pioneering technology, training and treatment is helping to eliminate the risk of potentially fatal heat illness as recruits strive to become Royal Marines Commandos. State-of-the-art body monitors recording trainee commandos’ physiological data, trained instructors studying that information, and medical teams on hand to treat trainees almost immediately could all-but … [Read more...] about Royal Marines Pioneer Technology and Treatment to Tackle Heat Illness
Royal Marines complete Mojave Desert exercises with fiery five-day battle
Royal Marines have put the seal on desert exercises with an intensive five-day battle in California alongside allies across one of the largest military training areas in the world. Commandos have spent the last two months in the Mojave Desert preparing for deployments next year as part of the newly-formed Littoral Response Group (South), which is one of two new Royal Navy … [Read more...] about Royal Marines complete Mojave Desert exercises with fiery five-day battle
Drone swarms support Commando Forces trials in a first for the UK’s armed forces
Drones dived, sailed and flew together in a swarm in a first for the UK’s armed forces during experimental exercises with the Royal Marines. An array of autonomous systems operated underwater, on the water, in the sky and over land to help Royal Marines Commandos as they carried out training raids on a number of complex ‘adversary’ positions – such as missile and radar … [Read more...] about Drone swarms support Commando Forces trials in a first for the UK’s armed forces
Patrol ship Tamar completes board and search training with Commandos
New Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Tamar is ready to police the Seven Seas after intensive training with commandos off the South Coast. The Portsmouth-based warship received the thumbs up from Navy assessors as she served as the springboard for Royal Marines to board, subdue and search suspect vessels in the Channel. Mike Company from 42 Commando in Bickleigh, near Plymouth, … [Read more...] about Patrol ship Tamar completes board and search training with Commandos