The Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the US Navy and the US Marines Corps have pledged to work even closer on littoral operations.
A Statement of Intent was signed at Admiralty House in Portsmouth Naval Base, paving the way for closer collaboration on complex operations around coastal zones and improve both nations’ ability to operate across land, sea and air effectively.
Crucially, this will see more joint training and deployments for sailors and marines, strengthening the UK and USA’s already significant warfighting capability and enabling seamless relations between maritime forces.
This is all under the umbrella of Delivering Combined Seapower – the dialogue which has taken place since 2016 between the two nations to build and sustain close joint working.
It builds on successes identified through previous collaboration between the two nations across concepts such as counter-reconnaissance and littoral strike.
Lieutenant General David Furness, Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policy and Operations for the US Marine Corps, and Vice Admiral Martin Connell, Second Sea Lord, signed the Statement of Intent.
Also in attendance was the USMC’s Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Nicholson, Lieutenant Colonel Brad Flutz, Major Aaron Hood and members of the Royal Marines - Colonel Matt Churchward, Brigadier Paul Maynard and Brigadier Mark Totten.
“I am delighted to sign this agreement that will see the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, US Navy and US Marine Corps work even closer together as we continue our respective transformational journey,” said VAdm Connell.
“We welcome the opportunity to build on the existing close relationship between the US and United Kingdom. Our forces only benefit when we share our knowledge and expertise with each other. We look forward to this even deeper collaboration with our Royal Navy and Royal Marine partners,” added Lt Gen Furness.
Under the agreement, opportunities will increase in things like computer simulation, overseas exercises, synthetic training, and wargaming.
