Marines conduct first Afghan Amphibious Operation

Men from Charlie Company, 40 Commando, carried out the daring covert manoeuvre using small Rigid Inflatable Boats. They were recceing a landing site on the beaches adjoining the huge Kajaki reservoir and after moving into position under the cover of darkness patrolled in sub-zero temperatures to identify front line Taliban positions, crawling within metres of enemy compounds and locating firing points.

Captain Iain Sutherland, Second-in-Command of Charlie Company, said:

"These ops allow us to surprise them from a different flank. They don't know where we're coming from, which hits their morale."

Their task complete, the marines disappeared into the night, extracting in their boats across the water and back to their Forward Operating Base.

Although 40 Commando had initially not seen much application for their core amphibious skills in landlocked Afghanistan, some 700 miles from the nearest ocean, they quickly realised that they could adapt their training, known as the toughest in the world.

Captain Sutherland continued:

"Royal Marines Commandos are highly-trained amphibious troops, and it would be a shame to come to a theatre such as Afghanistan and never use those skills that we have trained long and hard for.

"Amphibious operations like this not only allow us to surprise the enemy from a different flank but also give us access to local nationals previously thought to be unreachable, which is key to the success of this ongoing operation. Using unconventional and unexpected methods of movement, we can interact with more civilians as well as significantly disrupting the Taliban in our area, denying them freedom of movement."

Major Steve Hart, Operations Officer of 40 Commando, paid tribute to the men of Charlie Company:

"Reconnaissance patrols both by land and water were carried out to ensure that we could get men ashore and into position, but the key to the success of the operation was, as ever, the courage and skill of the Royal Marines who took part."