Royal Marines spearheaded the UK’s largest combined amphibious exercises in years, clearing the way for a formidable joint force to land in Cyprus, say the Ministry of Defence.
In a news release, they say that the exercise was a rehearsal of Joint Theatre Entry – military parlance for the landing of lots of different military elements from air, land and sea into a potentially hostile region.
In #Cyprus, we’ve been training with the @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForce to test our ability to deploy land forces in unfamiliar environments.
Working together, we can deploy together via land, air, and sea at scale and pace.#AustereWolf pic.twitter.com/kfTwuQMlnC
— British Army 🇬🇧 (@BritishArmy) October 14, 2022
“Forces launched from the sea from a Royal Navy task force deployed on a European security mission – known as Littoral Response Group North – which is operating across the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the Adriatic this autumn. More than a thousand sailors and Royal Marines are deployed with this response force, which is led by amphibious flagship HMS Albion and includes RFA Argus, RFA Mounts Bay, HMS Defender and three helicopter squadrons.
This potent group came together with elements from the British Army and RAF to operate in the waters around the RAF base in Akrotiri, on the southern-most tip of Cyprus. Royal Marines of Arbroath-based 45 Commando led the way, forming a beachhead after launching from landing craft from Albion and Merlin helicopters based on RFA Mounts Bay and RFA Argus. It paved the way for the British Army’s 17 Port and Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps to offload equipment from cargo ship Hurst Point, with a Royal Navy Puma drone providing surveillance overhead.
After establishing logistics, the joint force was then ready to forge inland and complete further objectives, being tested in a range of real-world scenarios from war fighting to disaster relief and humanitarian aid. As commandos led the way, a range of infrastructure was brought ashore for Royal Engineers to build a camp able to support 500 personnel and designed to house people in the event of a crisis.”
Captain Simon Kelly, task group commander and Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, was quoted as saying:
“Very few Armed Forces have the ability to deliver joint amphibious effect on this scale and at this pace. The landing craft and helicopters of the Littoral Response Group North task group were a key part of supporting the Army and RAF in exercising this key UK capability. Our time alongside in Cyprus also provided a fantastic opportunity to support the British High Commission, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the island.”
