Royal Marines seized vehicles and conducted fast-paced helicopter raids as they stay sharp for upcoming operations during intensive training on Salisbury Plain.
Members of two Special Operations Maritime Task Units (SOMTU) from Lima Company of Plymouth-based 42 Commando are required to maintain exceptionally high levels of readiness to deliver maritime special operations around the globe.

The commandos are continually honing their skillset and headed to Salisbury Plain to conduct Vehicle Interdiction – the art of stopping, searching and seizing vehicles – before being dropped 'behind enemy lines' from Wildcat helicopters from 847 Naval Air Squadron as they perfected tactical insertion techniques at Copehill Down training village.

The two intensive serials keep the UK Commando Force ready for operations at a moment’s notice and lead up to a deployment to the United States, where the they will conduct exercises with US Navy SOF as the two forces validate their ability to operate together as part ongoing collaboration between UK and US Special Operations Forces.

Royal Marines tested their combined ability to respond to major incidents alongside emergency services and RAF helicopters at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Faslane-based 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group are on duty 24/7 365 days a year, primarily tasked with protecting the UK’s strategic deterrent and Vanguard nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine.

They are highly-trained in combat in closed-quarters and tight confines, making them ideal partners for police firearm officers and other emergency agencies when responding to incidents.

Together with ambulance, fire and rescue and police teams, 18 marines were lifted by Chinook helicopters from the RAF’s 28 Squadron to the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield Stadium.

Small ‘energy farms’ are to be created at two Royal Marines bases to power new shooting ranges – and save thousands of pounds a year.
The combat facilities at Norton Manor Camp near Taunton – home to 40 Commando – and the Royal Marines Base Chivenor – home to the Commando Logistic Regiment and 24 Commando Royal Engineers - require considerable power.

Rather than connect them to the existing electricity network, ‘renewable energy micro-grids’ will be created: two 15-metre-tall wind turbines and solar panelling.

They will generate electricity all year round, stored in battery storage systems on site and ‘released’ to either power the ranges or, when there’s a surplus, support the National Grid.

Royal Marines operated for a month in sweltering southern Mississippi carrying out riverine and jungle raiding in an immersive test of modern warfare as they prepare for NATO ops.
Around 85 commandos, led by Royal Marines from 42 Commando’s Mike Company, completed 19 missions across a vast 209-square mile training area – around the same size of Tyne and Wear – during a highly valuable warfighting development exercise – codenamed Raven – in the United States.

A new era for the Royal Marines has arrived and to reflect their bold modernisation 3 Commando Brigade is to be known officially as the UK Commando Force, as announced by His Majesty The King.
The Commando Force transformation began in 2017 as all those serving in 3 Commando Brigade – Marines, Army and Navy Commandos – modernised with new tactics and ways of operating, ready for combat in the most demanding environments, while embracing cutting edge-technologies to meet the evolving challenge of warfare.

In a historic ceremony at Windsor Castle, sacred flags – bearing the King’s Royal Cypher and touched by his hand – were entrusted to four front-line Royal Marines units: 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando.

A 56-strong guard of Royal Marines, led by Parade Commander Brigadier Jaimie Norman (commander of the UK Commando Force), unit Commanding Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors and commandos from each unit, conducted the ceremony accompanied by the Massed Bands of the Royal Marines.