Navy
Royal Marines Practice Urban Warfare Skills
Royal Marines have been using the Northumbria Police Operational and Tactical Training Centre (OTTC) to keep their urban marksmanship skills sharp.
The Commandos of Juliet Company, 42 Commando, have been training at the Northumbria Police Firearms Support Unit, Follingsby, where they have been practicing their close quarter marksmanship skills as they become the Urban Specialists for the elite commando unit.
Juliet Company of Plymouth based 42 Commando have been on training at the Northumbria Police Firearms Training Unit, utilising their indoor range facilities as part of Exercise Urban Strike, a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) exercise.
Over half of the world’s population now live in urban areas and, with the population share expected to increase, being prepared to react to developing crisis in this environment is a vital ability for the Royal Marines.
The exercise, codenamed Urban Strike, was part of a wider training package which will see 42 Commando take over the mantle of Lead Commando Group in 2016. This will make them the UK’s primary deployable amphibious fighting force; ready to operate throughout the world, in any environment.
As well as firing live rounds, from a variety of weapons systems, in the state of the art firing range, the commandos also had the opportunity to test their judgemental skills in the Simulated Training Suite, which is designed to test the users thought process before engaging in armed combat.
Heading up the Royal Marines detachment, Captain Chris Huggett said, “Northumbria Police and the Royal Marines have established some excellent links in recent years. Coming to this facility really maximises the training value for our marines and allows us a safe environment to practice the skills necessary to fight effectively in built-up areas.”
The Northumbria Police Operational and Tactical Training Unit is home to the Firearms Support Unit and all firearms assets for the Northumbria force are based and trained on site. The unit also offers support in Public Order Training and training to student officers.
The training is being delivered to prepare 42 Commando for their forthcoming headline exercise, Black Alligator which all form the process to become the Lead Commando Group in 2016.
The Royal Marines are the amphibious soldiers of the Royal Navy and, with their specially adapted shipping, are able to land and operate in any environment in the world. Alongside 40 and 45 Commandos, 42 Commandos are one of three elite amphibious fighting units which make up the global reach of 3 Commando Brigade.
Photographs by LA(Phot) Joel Rouse
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