Commandos take on the Arctic

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Around 1,500 men of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, with supporting elements, are currently learning skills in the harsh Arctic climate of northern Norway that they will use when they deploy to Afghanistan later this year.

Norwegian Marines in a Gemini inflatable during Exercise Armatura Borealis
[Picture: PO(Phot) Angie Pearce]

The exercise 'Armatura Borealis', taking place off the North Western Norwegian coast, simulates the need to land commando forces ashore in a hostile environment and a 'live enemy' is being provided by Norwegian forces.

The Royal Marines are no strangers to Norwegian shores. For some of the men it's upwards of their tenth visit, while others are digging their first ever snow-holes in the Arctic snow.

The Marines have trained in Norway for decades, refining skills and honing talents. Their saying goes: "If you can fight and survive in Norway then you can do it anywhere."

Spokesman for 3 Commando Brigade, Major Chris Lincoln-Jones, said:

"Norway's coast provides challenging terrain coupled with a testing climate. Overcoming operational and tactical problems here is demanding and therefore very relevant. The major advantage of exercising out here is that we can prove our capability in two areas at once."

Royal Navy ships are regularly involved in exercises off the Norwegian coast
[Picture: PO(Phot) Angie Pearce]

The Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade will use the skills they learn in Norway to good effect when they deploy to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan later this year.

As ever, Royal Marine Commandos have been joined by their Royal Naval counterparts, chief amongst which are the Plymouth-based Landing Ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. Also taking part in the exercise are the Portsmouth-based Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal, the frigate HMS Cornwall and the Landing Ship RFA Mounts Bay

Captain Jeremy Blunden, the Commanding Officer of HMS Bulwark, said:

"We'd normally be called a Landing Ship but in fact we're so much more than that. In fact we're a bit like a small town; I've not only a church, restaurant, 600 bed hotel at my disposal but also an airfield and mobile marina!

"We're an asset that's available at five days' notice to deploy worldwide," he added.

HMS Bulwark sends a Landing Craft Vehicle and personnel to the shore along the north west coast of Norway
[Picture: PO(Phot) Angie Pearce]

Four other nations - Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands - are participating in Exercise Armatura Borealis contributing in excess of 3,000 personnel in 25 ships and submarines. The exercise involves a complex integration of training objectives derived after months of tri-lateral planning between the key exercise players.

Chief of Staff, Colonel David King, from the Commander UK Amphibious Forces HQ, said:

"The opportunity to train alongside so many of our NATO partners in one exercise presents a number of challenges; all universally constructive in enhancing interoperability. We've gone a long way in a very short space of time."

Major General Garry Robison, the Commandant General Royal Marines, said:

"Whilst the Royal Marines remain committed to the UK's Operational Tour Plot in Iraq and Afghanistan, the opportunity to practise and develop our core amphibious skills is vital. This exercise, built upon the UK/Netherlands Landing Force and NATO allies maritime capabilities, has been a demanding and very worthwhile deployment."

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