This snapshot, taken on 10/09/2010, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
royalnavy.mod.ukTop Class Employer with Top Class People
Royal NavyRoyal Navy
 
Home > Operations and Support > Royal Fleet Auxiliary > Latest News > Exercise Cold Response Moves Into Combat Phase

Exercise Cold Response Moves Into Combat Phase

HMS Ocean conducted an amphibious demonstration involving HMS Albion as the Command ship, RFA Mounts Bay and Johan De Witt.
HMS Ocean while at anchor in Norway.
HMS Ocean while at anchor in Norway.

Northern Norway is playing host to a huge NATO force of 20000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen from 14 countries.  The UK’s contribution is a powerful amphibious Task Group led by HMS Albion with Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander Amphibious Task Group at the helm.  Monday the 21 Feb was an important day in the exercise when Distinguished Visitors gathered to see the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Army units in action.  The demonstration of combat power was centred on a beach landing where men and equipment were ferried ashore by Landing Craft and Helicopter.  All timed to perfection, the visitors from both the UK and Norwegian Ministry of Defence, witnessed a coordinated assault.  They were then able to talk to soldiers and marines from 3 Cdo Bde and examine some of the state of the art kit with which they are equipped.

Commodore Paul Bennett said: 

“The DV day is a great opportunity to show how the UK’s amphibious forces might be employed to deliver a range of capabilities in difficult terrain and sub zero temperatures a long way from the UK homebase”.  “We are now ready to move onto the next phase of the exercise where we will endeavour to defeat a technologically advanced enemy through a combination of stealth and our ability to deliver rapid effect through the use of specialist Troops that we have in the shape of 45 Cdo RM and supporting formations from 29 Cdo Royal Artillery and Combat Engineers from 24 Cdo Royal Engineers”.

Cold Response is a NATO exercise hosted by the Norwegian armed forces.  Nearly 2000 Royal Navy sailors, Royal Marines and soldiers will take part with further support from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as the RFA tanker Wave Knight joins the Task Group next week.  This will be the largest deployment of a Joint force since Exercise TAURUS last year and is a key milestone toward delivering a joint, small scale expeditionary capability that has amphibious forces as its centrepiece.