In pictures: Royal Marines execute extraction under fire in the freezing waters of Norway

Royal Marines from 30 Commando IX have been operating in the freezing waters of Northern Norway as they conduct a beach assault exercise.

Shore Reconnaissance Troop (SRT), tasked with conducting beach reconnaissance ahead of an Amphibious Task Group landing, disembarked from their inflatable raiding craft and demonstrated an aggressive, rapid, and highly effective break-contact procedure when they were later contacted, culminating in an extraction-under-fire serial.

SRT are specialists within the Surveillance Reconnaissance Squadron, and form a close-knit, disciplined team capable of operating in the harshest environments around the globe – with a specific focus on Arctic warfare and maritime reconnaissance.

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The training comes just weeks after John Healey confirmed the number of British personnel stationed in the Arctic nation will double – from 1,000 to 2,000 – over the next three years. 

In March, 1,500 Royal Marines will deploy to Norway for Exercise Cold Response – the largest military exercise in the country, which will see the commandos learn to train and fight in extreme cold weather conditions. 

All images courtesy of the MOD.