Royal Netherlands Marine Corps exercise on Salisbury Plain
Dutch Marines have completed a major live firing exercise on Salisbury Plain – allowing them to join forces with Army gunners from the Netherlands and make use of training facilities unavailable in their home country.
The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) spent two weeks taking part in the Live Fire Field Training (LFFT) exercise, which aimed to integrate Joint Fire Support to Marine Combat Group operations.
Training involved a Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition Squadron (RSTA Sqn) and an Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle Troop (AATV Tp) from the RNLMC and – for the first time – a 120mm mortar Battery from the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA).
The LFFT exercise was supported by specialist trainers from the Marine Training Command (MTC) and controlled by a deployed Joint Fire Cell of the 2nd Marine Combat Group (2nd MCG).
Major Emanuel Thomeer, Battery Commander, Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition Squadron, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps said:
“Salisbury Plain offers unique training facilities enabling our units to conduct live and dry training up to Marine Combat Group level. This is a facility that is not available in the Netherlands.”
Commenting on the exercise Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hiskett, Principal Training Safety Officer, DIO Ops Training South West, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations. We are proud to be able to offer a training area and facilities of the right size and diversity that enable our European counterparts to carry out their training efficiently and effectively.”
All units from the RNLMC train regularly in the UK, as they are part of the United Kingdom/Netherlands Amphibious Force (UK/NL AF). The training includes combined training with 3Cdo Brigade Royal Marines and 29Cdo Regiment RA on Salisbury Plain, Mountain Warfare Training in Scotland and Naval Gunfire Training at Cape Wrath with 148 Forward Observation Battery.
The AATV Tp operate with VIKING armoured vehicles, whilst units of RSTA Sqn normally operate in a light role without vehicles. They can, however, operate from either VIKING armoured vehicles or 4x4 vehicles.
This LFFT aimed to maintain combat readiness of the AATV Tp (attached to 42Cdo Group RM) as part of the UK-led EU Battle group, and support Stage 3 Operational Readiness of the newly formed RSTA Squadron.
At over 38,000 hectares (94,000 acres) Salisbury Plain is the UK’s largest training area and offers first-class and diverse training facilities to enable the British Army to meet its training requirements to prepare for operations worldwide.
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the MOD. We are responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these and supporting services, such as soft facilities management and guarding, to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage protected and environmental goals achievd.
3. Salisbury Plain Training Area is maintained by the DIO, which delivers the Training Service, enabling Defence training users to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas. At over 38,000 hectares (94,000 acres) Salisbury Plain is the UK’s largest training area and offers first-class and diverse training facilities to enable the British Army to meet its training requirements to prepare for operations worldwide.
4. Picture captions – please credit ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2013’:
The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) exercise on Salisbury Plain, as part of the Live Fire Field Training (LFFT) exercise.
A micro-unmanned aerial system (MUAS) vehicle is launched on Salisbury Plain.
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Communications Manager 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
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