Royal Marines carry out ‘raids’ in the Arctic

Royal Marines have carried out night-time commando raids in the Arctic Circle as part of Exercise Joint Viking, a major NATO operation designed to enhance interoperability and deter aggression on the alliance’s northern flank.

The deployment, involving over 2,000 UK personnel, saw 45 Commando operate alongside 10,000 allied troops from nine nations in Norway’s extreme cold conditions.

The exercise marked the culmination of months of preparation, during which the UK Commando Force refined its extreme cold-weather warfare tactics. According to a Royal Navy news update, Commander James Smith, Commander Amphibious Task Force, stated:

“Exercise Joint Viking has allowed the UK Commando Force to deepen its multilateral partnerships, working with key allies as we seek to deter Russia on NATO’s Northern Flank.”

In the final phase of the exercise, Arbroath-based 45 Commando launched night raids onto Senja Island, deploying from amphibious ship RFA Lyme Bay via Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and small inflatable raiding craft. Their mission was to conduct reconnaissance patrols, identify enemy positions, and carry out precision strikes to weaken adversary forces before larger allied formations landed ashore.

The operation was overseen by the Royal Navy’s Littoral Response Group, embarked aboard RFA Lyme Bay, which deploys globally to coordinate Commando operations. The mission reached its climax with the capture of the Norwegian port of Sørreisa, Joint Viking’s final objective.

Commander Smith further spoke on the importance of the deployment, saying in the Royal Navy news update:

“Operating from the sea and on the land, we continue to set and shape the High North theatre as the advanced force ahead of any crisis or conflict by demonstrating our flexibility and adaptability in challenging conditions.”

As RFA Lyme Bay arrived in Norwegian waters at the end of February, it became the centrepiece of a multinational amphibious task group, led by Dutch warship HNLMS Johan De Witt and commanded by the Commander Netherlands Maritime Forces.

The task group’s approach to Senja Island was covered by Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, which ensured air and underwater security using Norwegian and US P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and allied submarines to detect and neutralise potential threats.

Once the Royal Marines secured the coastline, the Netherlands Marine Corps (Korps Mariniers) conducted their own amphibious landing. Meanwhile, Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters engaged simulated enemy fast attack craft, played by P2000 patrol ships from the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces Squadron.

Reflecting on the exercise, Lieutenant Kofi Bruce, Royal Marines, told the Royal Navy news update:

“Having the opportunity to be a part of the staff has given me valuable insights into what makes successful amphibious operations.”

He added:

“I have been exposed to task group naval tactics, the logistics challenge of embarking people and equipment and the key process of effective ship-to-objective manoeuvre. This has given me good exposure to both the green and blue side of amphibious operations, and will serve me well in my future career.”