Royal Marines Commandos practise fast casting into freezing Norwegian waters

Royal Marines Commandos from the Shore Reconnaissance Troop (SRT) have been braving freezing waters to train alongside Norwegian forces on Winter Deployment 25.

They practised fast casting in a fjord under the cover of darkness, leaping from a Norwegian Kystjegerkommandoen fast assault craft, the Combat Boat 90, which was travelling at a speed of 20 knots. 

The Commandos then regrouped in the icy fjord to swim towards the shore.

• Royal Marines lead Arctic raids as Nato deters aggression on its northern flank
• Royal Marines get new snowmobiles to boost raiding operations in Arctic Circle
• Royal Marines test new kit in unforgiving temperatures ahead of exercise in Norway

SRT marines are specialists within the Surveillance Reconnaissance Squadron and are highly skilled at using small craft in harsh conditions such as an Arctic winter.

They are experts in deep reconnaissance, but to gather information more effectively they have to get out of the boat and swim to the shore, even when temperatures drop to a brutal -30°C.

Their role is to then carry out a beach reconnaissance ahead of an Amphibious Task Group landing.

Each Commando puts on many layers of clothing to protect themselves from the extreme temperatures.

Training during the Norwegian winter, they would typically have up to three pairs of gloves and mitts on at once.

They also wear body armour, webbing, a helmet and a lifejacket, as well as carrying their KS-1 rifle.

Once the beach recce is done, the team members move on.

SRT troops are extremely self-sufficient, with the ability to operate for several weeks without support and only limited communications.

Because the SRT is so highly specialised, joining is a selective, lengthy and tough process.

Commandos first learn to become Landing Craft specialists, and then undertake a tough five-week Reconnaissance Operators course, developing covert surveillance and reconnaissance skills, as well as gaining experience of operating behind enemy lines to gather intelligence.

More than 2,000 service personnel – including Royal Marines, 24 Commando Royal Engineers, 29 Commando Royal Artillery and the Commando Helicopter Force – were deployed to northern Norway over the winter to hone their skills in Arctic conditions.

The training reaffirms the UK’s commitment to the High North at a time of high tensions with Russia on Nato's eastern flank.