40 Commando RM

Ex Catamaran France Phase

by Mne Mills, 3 Tp, A Coy

After a rapid planning process, orders were delivered for a Tp from A Coy to recce a military battle camp in Brittany, identify a High Value Target (HVT) and set the French Commando Partner Force up for success for a direct action.

We inserted from Yeovilton in two Merlins accompanied by two Wildcats. As we crossed the Channel, French Typhoons covered the airspace to our flanks. We then landed at Landivisiau to refuel, give confirmatory orders and conduct final battle prep. The final leg onto our landing site required flying over the treetops. Ten minutes out the Wildcat pair went forward to confirm the HLS was cold for the landing.

Member of A Coy during the S&R phase

Once we landed, the Tp broke off into two small patrols, independent of each other. In line with the FCF concept, we were two small teams operating dispersed, disaggregated and at reach. We moved on foot to our Lay Up Positions (LUP), having to especially consider the risk of soft compromise from the busy civilian population in the area. Movement was restricted in the daylight and the French heatwave made the going slow.