The Royal Marines have successfully completed a series of covert missions in the Baltic Sea, marking an important phase in NATO’s exercises hosted by Finland, its newest member.
The exercise, dubbed “Freezing Winds,” focused on familiarising the allied forces with Finland’s unique coastal geography.
The training activities were centred around the Gulf of Finland, known for its “rugged island-strewn coastline with its narrow channels.” This environment presented a distinctive challenge for the NATO allies, aiming to enhance their proficiency in such terrains.
RFA Mounts Bay was a central component of these exercises. Operating off the coast of Uusimaa, which encompasses the Finnish capital, Helsinki, the ship was tasked with deploying forces for “commando raids/covert missions,” in conditions described as being surrounded by “sea fog in freezing temperatures.”
The exercises saw the participation of a “4,000-strong allied force,” including specialist commandos from the UK and US Marines. The goal was to develop a “unique experience and a foundation of knowledge of operating on Finnish turf.”
Key to the operation were the specialists from the UK Commando Force, particularly 4 Assault Squadron, recognised for their expertise in “navigating difficult waterways.”
Their role in the exercise was crucial in enabling commandos to reach strategic inland locations.
These exercises are part of the broader operations of the Littoral Response Group (North). The Royal Navy’s establishment of two such groups, North and South, is designed for “rapid deployment to strategically important locations in response to world events.”
All very good, but RFA Mounts Bay or any RFA vessel operating in such a situation without close AA support from an RN vessel would be at risk.
I’m thinking these days any such move would most likely involve reaching places in Scandinavia still under friendly protection but difficult to reach via road, half of Norway for example, from which the Marines would go about their duties. Don’t think contested landings are likely practical any longer where any near peer opposition is involved.
Do the boat people pose a serious military threat to the UK? No. That is why it is not approprate to use the armed forces. It was wrong to use the RN a year or so ago.
You ask if the illegal immigrants pose a military threat to the UK? Maybe not military but there is without doubt a very realistic terrorist threat, there’s nothing wrong with a nation using it’s armed forces to deal with what is already and ever increasing a threat to national security.
BAE Sytems launched their concept for a littoral landing ship and commando craft.
Thx. Good BAE video on Naval News which speaks to the point Martyn makes above and also helps to explain why the BAE Adaptable Strike Frigate T32 design looks quite a bit different to the Babcock offering based on T31.
It was a young Captain Cook, on his 1st command of a Royal Navy ship, that unlocked the door to Quebec for General Woolfe on the St Lawrence River …
… I am confident we still attract people such as this man, people who are now charting the coasts of Finland.
That’s interesting, from my understanding after various failed attempts to take Quebec the campaign was on the verge of failure, but Woolfe (though given the credit) was sick and a plan was formulated by another officer to attack from what was deemed an impossible direction and the rest is history. So was Cook involved in the navigation of the river that enabled that flanking attack?
In preparation for the fleet’s approach to Quebec, Cook surveyed a large portion of the river. Cook’s ship was one of the first ships up the river, sounding the channel and guiding the fleet as it moved up; Wolfe and his men landed safely thanks to Cook
Finland, Finland, Finland,
Is the country where I want to be
Pony Trekking or Camping
Or just watching TV…
Can I see a storey where Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian and Baltic forces exercise on UK soil to make us a redoubt?
I’ll be gone but my daughter might have a more secure future.
I wonder. Given that the UK (well, army, anyway) has not had a MHD (Military Home Defence) exercise since the 1980s, it would be great for contingents from those armies to come here and prompt us to do just that.
Actually, may be a capital idea for all parties to consider MHD exercises. Mad Vlad announced today that additional Russian forces will be deployed along the Finnish border. Dunno, should the Finns consider fortifying the border (860 Mi or Km ?) w/ mines, anti-armor features, trenches and prepared fortifications? Of course, Mad Vlad professed no ill intent. 🤔😳🤯
The Finns should certaily consider fortifying their border, given Putin’s pronouncement (why does he want to do that when he needs max forces in Ukraine?). The Finns should actually conduct MHD exercises, perhaps not too near the border so as not to appear provocative.
👍