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Royal Marines seize vehicles and conduct helicopter raids as they prepare for upcoming missions
14 May 2026
Royal Marines seized vehicles and conducted fast-paced helicopter raids as they stay sharp for upcoming operations during intensive training on Salisbury Plain.
Members of two Special Operations Maritime Task Units (SOMTU) from Lima Company of Plymouth-based 42 Commando are required to maintain exceptionally high levels of readiness to deliver maritime special operations around the globe.
The commandos are continually honing their skillset and headed to Salisbury Plain to conduct Vehicle Interdiction – the art of stopping, searching and seizing vehicles – before being dropped 'behind enemy lines' from Wildcat helicopters from 847 Naval Air Squadron as they perfected tactical insertion techniques at Copehill Down training village.
The two intensive serials keep the UK Commando Force ready for operations at a moment’s notice and lead up to a deployment to the United States, where the they will conduct exercises with US Navy SOF as the two forces validate their ability to operate together as part ongoing collaboration between UK and US Special Operations Forces.
“The ability to insert forces tactically from air, land, or sea enables the rapid deployment of commandos into complex, contested, and dynamic environments at short notice,” said the officer in command of Special Operations Maritime Task Unit 1.
“Training activity of this nature is essential to sustaining operational readiness and forms a key component of our work-up towards joint validation with United States Navy SOF in the near future.
“Through the continued development of allied and regional partnerships, we enhance our warfighting capability and deepen our understanding of a strategically vital and increasingly contested operating area.
“Lima Company routinely delivers world class military assistance to priority partners and stands ready to support Freedom of Navigation and Maritime Security Operations.”
The commandos were initially tasked with stopping and seizing a vehicle, working as a ground team to advance on their target – in this case a white van.
While covered from above by the Wildcat from Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force, the Marines moved in to detain occupants and search their vehicles.
The commandos then formed a helicopter assault force with the Wildcats, fast roping on to different landing sites – including high-rise buildings and transport routes, swiftly descending from the aircraft by rope to establish a foothold and seize high-value targets.
This technique also allowed the commandos to act against time-sensitive targets -- military objectives requiring immediate response because they pose an imminent danger to friendly forces or are highly lucrative – which is one such potential mission for the SOMTUs.
As a Maritime Special Operations Unit, 42 Commando, based at Bickleigh near Plymouth, are required to relentlessly develop and hone specialist skills to be able to deliver maritime special reconnaissance, direct action and military assistance to partner forces.
SOMTUs are designed to be deployed around the globe, operating from hubs on land or from ships. They are able to operate independently or integrated with partner forces. Each SOMTU can provide one force protection team, two boarding teams and can be bolstered with specialist capabilities, such as scout snipers, uncrewed systems, dive teams, explosive ordnance disposal and electronic warfare.