The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
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1 Armoured Support Tp (1AST) from ASG deployed to Garelochhead, Scotland for Ex Green Claymore 24. This was a three-week mountain training package designed to prepare for deployment to the High North of Norway and allowed us to hone our navigation ability and prove our physical robustness in the Highlands of Scotland, one of the harshest environments in the UK.
The exercise is a pre-Arctic training course led by the Mountain Leader training cadre. It tests the Commando Force personnel to soldier and sustain themselves in arduous conditions: with temperatures plummeting to as low as -5C, windchills of -15C and gusts of wind over 40mph.
Upon arrival at Garelochhead, cold weather kit was issued and in-depth lectures on the theory of mountain movement were delivered. The Team Commanders then received their route briefs for Ben Donich (846m) and the third day was spent on the mountain in daysack order.
The following days were spent in the mountains, taking in Scotland’s immense landscape and temperamental weather. Evenings were spent de-servicing kit and receiving route briefs for the following day, with the weight of our bergens progressively increasing. Ben Vorlich (941m), Beinn Narnain (926m) and Stob na Doire (1010m) are a few notable mountains 1AST navigated over the course.
At the end of week one, we headed out on our first night in the field after a day spent learning the different types of river-crossing techniques. Following a frosty night getting to grips with tent routine, we headed up Buachaille Etive Mòr (1021m) on our last yomp of that week, then swiftly back to camp for a run ashore in the quiet town of Helensburgh.
Week two continued with more yomping over the vast mountain ranges of the Scottish Highlands, confirming 1AST’s knowledge and experience of working in such an inhospitable environment. The troops alternated leading sections of each route to practise their individual navigation skills and consolidate operating in similar conditions. This will play a huge role in how we tackle the Norwegian Arctic in the New Year. The course culminated in a week-long final exercise where the Tp put into practice all we had learnt. 1AST and elements from M Coy 42 Cdo RM were tasked with protecting Finlas Dam, while J Coy …………….
To find out more about the CLR and further 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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