Royal Marines Parachute During Winter Exercises In Sweden

Royal Marines have parachuted into snowy Sweden during an exercise with personnel from the US Air Force.

The elite Surveillance Reconnaissance Squadron of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group were practising capturing enemy positions, the Royal Navy said. 

The training mission began at Bardufoss Air Station in northern Norway where commandos boarded a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft alongside the US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party.

They were then dropped into Kiruna Airfield in Sweden where they attempted to seize enemy areas.

The aircraft then flew back to Bardufoss to pick up the next wave of commando troops, as well as kit and equipment. 

The training was part of the Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response.

15,000 troops from 10 nations are taking part, including 2,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors.

The Navy said the marines are now preparing to travel 150 kilometres on snowmobiles and "specialist lightweight cold weather vehicles" back to Bardufoss.

Exercises will also take place during the journey.

Cover Image: Royal Marines parachute on Exercise Cold Response (Picture: MOD).