US Marine Corps Osprey aircraft embarked on HMS Ocean transferred Royal and US Marines ashore during a simulated beach assault on Corsica.
45 Commando Royal Marines have been working with their US counterparts for the past few months, training and improving their track record of joint operations.
The marines stormed ashore in Corsica with their US Marine Corps counterparts from the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, making use of USMC Osprey aircraft in the assault which saw them re-taking a stronghold from an enemy force.
The assault group took off from the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean, where the USMC aircraft and US Marines have been embarked for the past few weeks.
The Osprey tiltrotors have been embarked on HMS Ocean for the past few weeks while the Royal Navy flagship is deployed on Cougar 15.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Gosney RM, HMS Ocean’s Amphibious Operations Officer said:
“Working with the French armed forces to plan and develop a US-UK combined exercise in Corsica has been an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the relationship with our allies.”
Exercise Blue Raptor represents the latest phase in the US Allied Maritime Basing Initiative which has sought to improve the integration of US forces with allies while operating in the Mediterranean.
