USA

Royal Marines Get Tactical In California's Mojave Desert

Royal Marines 40 Commando Horses Mojave Desert California 211220 CREDIT ROYAL NAVY

Small teams of Royal Marines have been on exercise with the US Marine Corps (USMC) in California's Mojave Desert to help develop future commando tactics.

Marines from 40 Commando’s Charlie Company were formed into teams of 12 commandos, tasked to work ‘deep in the battle space’ against the opposing USMC forces.

It was part of the challenging unscripted warfighting exercise, acting as unconventional enemy forces.

The commando teams operated around Hidalgo City, a huge town otherwise known as 'Range 220', purpose-built for desert urban training exercises and one of the largest facilities in the world.

Since last year, Royal Marines have been testing concepts from the Future Commando Force - the most significant transformation and rebranding programme since the Second World War, according to the Royal Navy.

Royal Marines 40 Commando Exercise Mojave Desert California 211220 CREDIT ROYAL NAVY — The commando teams were mobilised after a period of battle preparation (Picture: Royal Navy).

Tasked and equipped to disrupt their adversaries at every turn, the commando teams destroyed advancing enemy armoured vehicles, mortar lines, command posts and aircraft.

Alongside a US Army Special Forces team, the commandos held Hidalgo City until their mock enemy had exhausted all options and combat power.

Warrant Officer (Class Two) Nige Quarman, C Coy's Company Sergeant Major, said: "Working independently at reach provided a host of challenges, not only for the deployed teams but for the headquarters element.

"The operations room for a Company Group has become a beast – now more reflecting a unit formation.

"The exercise was a very successful run-out for a company group developing small-team concepts and skill sets.

"Overall a great deal was learned as best practice for Future Commando Force teams," he added.

Royal Marines 40 Commando Exercise Tactical Mojave Desert California 211220 CREDIT ROYAL NAVY — Everything from fuel cans to camouflage nets were painted tans and browns to match the desert palette (Picture: Royal Navy).

This main exercise followed intensive training 7,000ft up in the mountains at the Mountain Training Warfare Centre at Pickel Meadow, northwest of Bridgeport, California.

There, marines conducted long-range reconnaissance patrols to assess the practicalities of communications and logistics for small teams spread out across a wide area.

As is standard practice, the marines used mules to travel deep into the mountains with their Javelin and machine gun kits, as well as supplies for survival.