A member of Zulu Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines, taking part in an amphibious landing on a beach in Norway
[Picture: LA(Phot) Nick Tryon, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
The multi-national NATO exercise led by the Norwegian Armed Forces offers challenging training in the middle of an Arctic winter and is vital in ensuring that the Royal Navy maintains its traditional sea-fighting capability whilst undertaking amphibious warfare in a cold weather environment.
Over 20,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen from 14 countries are involved in the exercise, with the British contribution coming from HMS Albion, HMS Ocean, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay, and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, as well as Army formations from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery.
Last week's demonstration of combat power was centred on a beach landing where men and equipment were ferried ashore by landing craft and helicopter.
Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander Amphibious Task Group, on board HMS Albion, said:
"The day is a great opportunity to show how the UK's amphibious forces might be employed to deliver a range of capabilities in difficult terrain and sub-zero temperatures a long way from the UK home base.
"We are now ready to move onto the next phase of the exercise where we will endeavour to defeat a technologically-advanced enemy through a combination of stealth and our ability to deliver rapid effect through the use of specialist troops that we have in the shape of 45 Commando Royal Marines and supporting formations from 29 Commando Royal Artillery and combat engineers from 24 Commando Royal Engineers [all part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines]."
See more pictures of the exercise in the Gallery at Related Links.