Getting it Right: Force Generating for Operations in the High North

by Capt W McBride Irish Guards, 2IC Y Coy

The annual Winter Deployment remains a high priority for UKCF. The punishing terrain and extreme environment of the Euro-Atlantic High North makes it one of the toughest places to soldier on the planet.

Now pair this with the specialised role UKCF will perform across the competition to conflict continuum – inserting beyond the tip of the spear, against a peer adversary, in contested domains. One quickly realises this problem set should not be taken lightly. Finally, given the direction that UKCF has taken, you will soon see 45 Cdo RM partnering with NATO Special Operations Forces. Our operators must be at the top of their game to add real value.

Y Coy move by ski through the Norwegian backcountry

Teams require all members to be adept in the fundamentals in this mountainous extreme cold weather (ECW) environment; sustainment at reach, proficient mobility on skis and over snow reconnaissance vehicles (OSRV), reconnaissance expertise to fulfil the mission set and tactical nous in Arctic terrain. On these fundamentals, teams are only as strong as their lowest denominator. Consider also the multi-disciplinary skillsets required combat communications, combat-medics, vehicle maintenance, electronic warfare, UAS operation, awareness of fires and targeting, and proficiency on a plethora of optical sight systems. This does not account for the primary and/or secondary specialist qualifications of every Marine. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a suitably qualified and experienced cold weather capable Marine!

The four-week cold weather warfare course (CWWC) is the first step in this training pipeline, teaching sustainment, access (to a basic standard) and fighting in the ECW environment. Special-to-arms continuation training is required directly after this for company groups to hone these skills and generate others. Force integration with 29 and 24 Commandos, live firing, long range insertion and surveillance and reconnaissance (S+R) need to be trained repeatedly in Arctic conditions. Adroit skill on the communications suite is crucial in relying on its minimal use. New skills such as OSRV to the man are key to extend mobility. Further integration with Y Sqn, ISTs and the PHTT is also required and fundamental in achieving our missions and tasks.

Y Coy’s training for this extensive list began following a series of crisis response deployments, returning in late autumn 2024. This short window attempted to refocus the Coy’s physical and mental preparedness by juggling summer leave, carrying out loaded marches, pre-Christmas ski mobility packages and learning our adversaries’ capabilities. Mountain movement was only achieved briefly and by one team with the help of SRS on their demanding annual mountainous S+R exercise.