First return to Faroe Islands since WW2 sees Royal Marines hone maritime interdiction skills

For the first time since the Second World War, the Royal Marines have returned to the Faroe Islands as they help to bolster security in the strategically vital Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap.  

Exercise Lion Protector saw personnel from the UK Commando Force work alongside Danish forces and maritime agencies from the self-governing country situated in the centre of the gap, testing the responses of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The Faroe Islands form part of the Kingdom of Denmark and were occupied by Britain in 1940 to prevent Nazi Germany from seizing them first. Just three days earlier, German forces had invaded mainland Denmark.

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Codenamed Operation Valentine, it involved the deployment of two Royal Navy destroyers to the Faroese capital of Tórshavn before 250 Royal Marines were landed ashore from HMS Suffolk. 

The Royal Marines were subsequently relieved by soldiers of the Scottish regiment, the Lovat Scouts, who later handed over responsibility to the Cameronians.

The British stayed until 1945 before handing the islands back to Denmark in a cordial occupation that is still celebrated to this day.

Learning to fight on a fractured landscape

Exercising on the island were members of the Special Operations Maritime Task Group (SOMTG).

This elite Nato group is held at extremely high readiness, ready to respond and carry out missions such as recapturing vessels and oil rigs, and covert coastal raids to pave the way for amphibious landings.   

Working alongside Danish and Faroese forces, the commandos put these skills into practice, rehearsing the boarding, searching and seizure of vessels, as well as techniques for approaching ships and using boarding ladders to gain entry.

The elite teams also established clifftop observation posts to monitor maritime traffic routes before carrying out challenging cliff ascents.

The exercises come as allied nations step up efforts to reinforce collective security across Northern Europe ahead of two landmark gatherings later this year – the Atlantic Future Forum and the International Sea Power Conference.

Standing ready 

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and Commandant General Royal Marines, said: "Defending the Atlantic is fundamental to our economy, national security and way of life. In troubling times, we cannot be complacent. ​

"The return of the Royal Marines to the Faroe Islands should send an unequivocal message: the UK, alongside Denmark and our other allies in the Joint Expeditionary Force, stand ready to protect the waters, islands and vital routes that keep our nations secure."

All images courtesy of the MOD.