Royal Marines of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, whose primary mission is to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent, have been training alongside the US Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR) in the annual Exercise Tartan Eagle.
Tartan Eagle ensures that the MCSFR along with their British counterparts remain highly prepared for their critical responsibilities. Tartan Eagle is conducted in two phases. The first phase occurs in the summer, during which 43 Commando travels to Chesapeake, Virginia, and Bangor, Washington, to engage in an exchange programme with the MCSFR and their Recapture Tactic Team.
This is followed by the autumn phase of Tartan Eagle in the UK, which involves two weeks of training at Clyde Naval Base and the Northumbria Range complex. The completion of this second phase has recently taken place, ensuring that the marines, particularly those from 43 Commando’s O Squadron, are well-prepared for operations while fostering stronger connections between the two Corps.
Major Jon Attrill, of 43 Commando, said: “This is a really important exercise for both us and the United States Marine Corps with a view to developing mission specific tactics.
“My role is to ensure the training is effective, proficient, and suitable to both Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps.”
Captain Anthony Rossi, of the USMC’s Recapture Tactics Platoon, based in King’s Bay, added: “In the States we have the same mission as 43 Commando, so when do Tartan Eagle we learn each other’s tactics and we look at how we modify them.
“Tartan Eagle refines our tactics to make sure we’re as mission ready as possible.
“It’s a great exercise which allows us to bond with the 43 Commandos, so we can see our differences and similarities.
“It’s great for the marines to see somebody else from across the pond doing the same mission and likewise for 43 Commando.”
The training exercise ensures that both groups of marines are thoroughly prepared and equipped to achieve success in their mission, which involves the ongoing protection and prevention of unauthorized access to their nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent.
The initial week of training concentrated on tactical strategies, while the subsequent week emphasized the application of their combat skills and the management of their weaponry – specifically, short-barrelled rifles intended for operation in the confined spaces of submarines or urban settings.
43 Commando Fleet Protection Group
43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines is a unit comprising 550 personnel, stationed at HM Naval Base Clyde. This unit has a critical primary mission: to prevent unauthorized access to the United Kingdom’s strategic nuclear deterrent. They engage in operations within the UK and enhance their capabilities through ongoing training exercises both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the unit is integrated into UK Commando Force (formerly 3 Commando Brigade), which serves as the UK’s high-readiness expeditionary amphibious force.
43 Commando comprises personnel skilled in various operations, ranging from snipers capable of incapacitating a moving speedboat from a pursuing helicopter to specialists in close combat and cold-weather warfare. O and P Squadrons are dedicated to waterfront nuclear security, while R Squadron concentrates on dynamic nuclear security across the Clyde and the entire United Kingdom. Their expertise encompasses: Close Quarter Battle, waterfront nuclear security, dynamic nuclear security in the Clyde region and throughout the UK, specialized military operations in intricate urban, maritime, and industrial settings, cold weather warfare and maritime boarding and sniper operations.
