Royal Marines invade Belgium

Royal Marines joined Belgian, German and Dutch troops in a test of urban warfare and evacuation skills.

According to the Royal Navy, with 1,800 Belgian troops deployed on the streets of the country for security reasons following the atrocities in Brussels back in March, the host nation’s involvement was scaled down while international input stepped up.

The Royal Navy Press Release states:

“For the sake of the exercise, western Flanders became the fictitious land of Canaria, with scores of people requiring rescuing as conflict swept through – just the sort of thing a lead commando group is expected to do.

In scenes not too distant from those on television screens over the past 12 months, the green berets of Bravo Company, 40 Commando, moved through the Channel port of Ostend.

The marines from Norton Manor, near Taunton in Somerset, were invited by their Low Country allies to join in Storm Tide 3.

With 1,800 Belgian troops deployed on the streets of the country for security reasons following the atrocities in Brussels back in March, the host nation’s involvement was scaled down – while international input stepped up.”

The city of Ostend was subjected to assault by land, sea and air with an amphibious landing near the casino to seize the neighbouring harbour and airport so Hercules could land and evacuate large numbers of civilians.

Major Tom O’Keeffe Royal Marines, Officer Commanding Bravo Company said:

“For my company it’s an exceptional opportunity – it gives us the chance to exercise alongside our international counterparts in a complex, real-time environment”