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Current Location
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
09:14 GMT - 19 June 2013
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
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42 Commando
Recently returned from live fire training in California, 42 Commando Royal Marines are one of three elite battalion-sized units which make up the global punch of 3 Commando Brigade.
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42 Commandos Hone Fighting Skills In US Desert
With helicopters hovering and dust swirling in their faces during an exercise in the Californian desert, Royal Marines from 42 Commando are using the terrain to their full advantage. Working from the US Marine Corpsâ Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, the Commandos have been using a bespoke facility to practice live fire troop attacks. A vast training facility with 932 square miles of desert terrain in which to operate, the desert offers similar conditions to those they face in Afghanistan, and allows them to hone their fighting skills. In preparation for their final exercise, M Company have been working with the same Merlin helicopter that will drop them deep into the training area to kick off their final assaults. *** Local Caption *** Model Release form held at the 42 Commando Photographic Unit, Bickleigh Barracks.
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42 Commandos Hone Fighting Skills In US Desert
With helicopters hovering and dust swirling in their faces during an exercise in the Californian desert, Royal Marines from 42 Commando are using the terrain to their full advantage. Working from the US Marine Corpsâ Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, the Commandos have been using a bespoke facility to practice live fire troop attacks. A vast training facility with 932 square miles of desert terrain in which to operate, the desert offers similar conditions to those they face in Afghanistan, and allows them to hone their fighting skills. In preparation for their final exercise, M Company have been working with the same Merlin helicopter that will drop them deep into the training area to kick off their final assaults. *** Local Caption *** Model Release form held at the 42 Commando Photographic Unit, Bickleigh Barracks.
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42 Commando in the Californian desert
42 Commando RM Training in Mojave Dersert
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42 Commando feel the desert heat in California
The green berets of 42 Commando have been letting rip with real and mock ammunition on one of the biggest combat ranges in the world. The Royal Marines from Bickleigh are making full use of the US Marine Corps' base at Twentynine Palms in the Mojave Desert for some all-action training.
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42 Commando feel the desert heat in California
The green berets of 42 Commando have been letting rip with real and mock ammunition on one of the biggest combat ranges in the world. The Royal Marines from Bickleigh are making full use of the US Marine Corps' base at Twentynine Palms in the Mojave Desert for some all-action training.
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42 Commando Remembers
Based in Bickleigh, just outside Plymouth, 42 Commando (pronounced Four-Two, not Forty-Two) have been training in the Mojave desert as they prepare to take over as Lead Commando Group in May of this year.
This means that they will be the first unit called upon in case of short-notice operations anywhere around the world, and this training is the first step in their preparation for possible future taskings.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Neil Sutherland
- RANK:
- Lieutenant Colonel
- JOINED:
- 1991
- SPECIALISATION:
- Royal Marines
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- 42 Cdo, 40 Cdo
Military experience
Neil Sutherland joined the Royal Marines in 1991. After 15 months officer training, he spent 12 months as a Troop Commander in Comacchio Group, followed by 2 years as a Rifle Troop Commander in 42 Commando, which included an operational tour in Northern Ireland.
A short stint followed as 42 Commando’s Training Officer, before a period at CTCRM as a Recruit Troop Commander and Company 2IC.
He then trained as a Signals Officer and spent 2 years at 40 Commando which included an operational deployment to West Africa.
On completion of the Army Junior Command and Staff Course, he spent a further 2 years attached to the Army which included 12 months studying for a Masters Degree.
He then undertook an SO2 appointment in Fleet HQ, followed by the Advanced Command and Staff Course. Returning to 42 Commando, he spent 2 years as OC Kilo Company where he deployed on Op Herrick 5 to Afghanistan; for which he was awarded an MBE. An appointment then followed to HQ 3 Commando Brigade as SO2 G3 Plans.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2008, he was appointed to the Permanent Joint Headquarters as the Operations Team Leader responsible for Counter Terrorism (Overseas) and Counter Piracy.
He then served as the Executive Assistant to the Second Sea Lord. Lt Col Sutherland assumed command of 42 Commando on 26 January 2012.
Neil Sutherland is married to Val and they have a son and two daughters.
OPERATIONS
Cold Weather Training
CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
Cold Weather Training is a multinational exercise led by the Norwegian Armed Forces. While current operations are focussed on Afghanistan, it is vital that the Royal Navy maintains its amphibious capability in a cold weather environment. This training brings together the Royal Marines, assault ships and other Fleet assets, and the helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm.
Read MoreOperation Herrick
CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
Operation Herrick is the code-name for the work UK Forces have been doing in Afghanistan since 2002, working to bring about stability in the country and maintain the forces of law and order, pushing back the Taliban and preventing them from using the country as a base for terrorism.
TAKE A LOOK
42 Commando
'Four Two'
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