This time last week I was 200 miles into the Arctic Circle with a team of Royal Marine Commandos, engaged in extreme cold weather training. Not a normal week at work… I was there as part of the Parliamentary Armed Forces Scheme which offers MPs, like me, a chance to better understand military life and the role our Armed Forces play in keeping us all safe.
Extreme cold weather training was reintroduced several years ago in response to the changing threats the UK faces with increased provocation from Russia. We are all aware of Russian expansionism with the annexation of Crimea, and regular near incursions into British airspace and waters. In 2018 alone the Royal Navy launched vessels on 31 occasions and on seven occasions scrambled quick reaction aircraft in response.
This training is so important to ensure we are ready if relations were to break down. The word extreme is fitting. In our host country Norway, the conditions were brutal, with temperatures down to minus 30˚C with a significant wind chill factor on top.
As a truly global force the Royal Navy must be able to operate and fight in every environment, so they are put through their paces in one of the planet’s most challenging environments. Currently, there are 1250 Royal Marines undertaking this training in Norway, with plans to increase this number to 2,800 personnel over the next eight years. Every member of the Royal Marines, including support staff, have to undergo a minimum of one week cold weather survival training, which involves sleeping out in a tent for a minimum of three nights. Luckily, we were spared this and only had to sleep out for one night in minus 15˚C, sleeping in one tent with twelve other people. It wasn’t one of my most comfortable night’s sleep.
We experienced a whole range of training exercises including deep-snow trekking with heavy bergens (back-packs). Most challenging of all was learning some of the skills that our Royal Marine Commandos use to board fast-moving enemy vessels on the icy waters of the Norwegian Fjords. We only experienced the tip of the iceberg, the marines do some serious training by land, sea and air. I have to say, I am glad we didn’t have to ski across the mountains whilst carrying weapons and 70lb bergens whilst surviving on ration packs. This training ensures our Armed Forces are amongst the best in the world and I certainly saw first hand how dedicated and committed they are to serving our country.