The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
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Ex Tartan Eagle is an annual Overseas Training Exercise (OTX) during which one Tp from O Sqn deploys to the USA, to conduct cross-training with the USMC Recapture Tactics Team (RTT).
In May, Solta Tp were relieved from behind the wire and travelled to the USMC RTT Training Company base in Virginia. At the start of the exercise, Solta took part in a static range package, focused on Close Quarter Marksmanship (CQM). The Tp rehearsed shot placement and transition drills alongside their US counterparts. This was an excellent opportunity to drill basic principles and improve the fundamentals of individual marksmanship, working alongside USMC colleagues.
Once the required standards of marksmanship had been achieved on the static range, the Tp then progressed onto live-fire Close Quarter Battle (CQB) within a USMC multi-floor skills house. The lads were initially, understandably, cautious of American high rate of fire within close proximity, but as the week continued the drills became slicker and the Tp could execute US TTPs with ease. The progression of training was achieved and, on Friday of week one, the Tp and attached Training Office elements went ashore in Virginia Beach to unwind alongside the US Marines.
Solta Tp then flew to Seattle to conduct a spherical sparrow training evolution in the US equivalent of Copehill Down – Leschi Town. This training village holds a school, tower blocks, compounds and conventional streets. Over the second week Solta conducted cordon drills, hard knock, soft knock, live breaching and dynamic asset recovery training alongside the USMC RTT.
On completion of the training package the lads visited the US secure nuclear areas to develop their understanding of their environment. This was rounded off with a barbecue with our American brothers whom we had trained alongside for the past two weeks.
The majority of the Tp’s return flights had been planned to factor in a week of leave in the US, so they swapped their Altbergs for snakeskin line dancing boots and stepped off.
Ultimately, the exercise served as a useful package to improve……………….
To find out more about 43 Cdo FP Gp RM and RM activities across the globe, catch up regularly with all the news in the Globe & Laurel Magazine, the Journal of the Royal Marines.
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