Plymouth Royal Marines complete intensive training for NATO special operations
Plymouth's 42 Commando set to lead NATO special operations from July
Royal Marines from Plymouth's 42 Commando are now prepared to lead NATO special operations after completing two years of rigorous training and mission rehearsals.
Members of 42 Commando demonstrated their capabilities in night-time boarding operations, helicopter raids, and reconnaissance training as part of Exercise Hyperion Storm.
This exercise, conducted at various UK locations, confirmed their readiness to join NATO's Allied Reaction Force, which can be deployed rapidly to address threats or crises.
From July, 42 Commando will be positioned alongside Army and RAF counterparts as the maritime operations experts, ready to recapture vessels and oil rigs or conduct covert raids.
Colonel Phil O’Callaghan Royal Marines, Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Component Command, emphasized the rigorous evaluation process that included meeting over 850 performance measures.
He said: “The evaluation process is exacting and demanding, every detail is scrutinised.
“As a headquarters we had to meet over 850 performance measures to ensure complete validation for NATO.
“On this exercise we are here to support and ensure the success of the maritime, land and air task groups as they seamlessly work together."
Lt. Col. Tom Quinn Royal Marines, Commanding Officer of 42 Commando, highlighted the development of the maritime special operations capabilities as a milestone, citing the successful integration of diverse skills from across the Navy.
“The validation of the Special Operations Maritime Task Group is an important milestone in the Commando Force’s development of maritime special operations capabilities, ready for warfighting against peer adversaries."
NATO Special Operations Forces Command Evaluation team has verified the UK is prepared to assume this leadership role, which will be managed by a Special Operations Command Centre.
During Hyperion Storm, Royal Marines engaged in boarding drills at Devonport Naval Base, reconnaissance on Plymouth coastlines, and collaborated with Army Rangers and RAF Chinook helicopters in Northumberland.