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!