UK Royal Marines Push the Limits in Ex. Himalayan Warrior ('07)

Military History \| How To Make War \| Wars Around the World	Rules of Use	How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Commandos and Special Operations Discussion Board
Return to Topic Page

Subject: UK Royal Marines Push the Limits in Ex. Himalayan Warrior ('07)
Est. 22 11/28/2007 12:54:11 PM

A 112-man UKRM Cdo Coy took part in joint high-altitude exercises with Indian paratroopers in Jammu and Kashmir. The exercises were held at around 18,500 feet above sea-level. It was a remarkable achievement for the British to have made it through the entire period with just four Marine Cdos medically absent for the final cliff-assault. Consider that all 112 men suffered high-altitude sickness, but only four were invalid... truly tough buggers! There aren't many fighting units in the world that can keep up with Indian HAW specialists as well as the Marine Cdos did. Hope they all get well soon and come back next year... or go kick some Telebunny @ss!!! Article to follow...

Quote Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title Newest to Oldest

Pages: 1 2

Est. 22 Article 11/28/2007 12:56:21 PM

PUSHING THE LIMITS

Two city Royal Marines were hospitalised for five days with altitude sickness during the first British land forces exercises to be held in northern India for 60 years.The marines from Bickleigh-based 42 Commando were treated and later flown back to the UK after coughing up blood and experiencing extreme shortness of breath during the hazardous mountain and cold-weather exercises in the Himalayas. Training at a height of up to 18,300ft, the marines of 42 Cdo's M Company have since made a full recovery.

A report into the exercises states that all 112 members of the party experienced symptoms such as shortness of breath on exertion, headaches, difficulty sleeping, reduced appetite and dehydration.

It also states that altitude sickness - including high-altitude pulmonary oedema, which put the two men in hospital, and acute mountain sickness - had been expected.

"In summary, only four men were unable to participate in the final exercise," the report states.

"This is considered to be an excellent result reflecting careful acclimatisation and expeditious treatment of cases of mountain sickness.

"The exercise proved an excellent learning experience for medical and non-medical staff in the prevention and management of altitude related illnesses."

Exercise Himalayan Warrior was the first opportunity for M Company to work together as a formation since returning from operations in Afghanistan.

Trekking and climbing across the snow-covered picturesque Himalayan mountains, the marines made history by becoming the first British land forces to train in Northern India since 1947.

Working alongside the Indian Army, the marines carried out various mountain and cold- weather exercises including high-altitude training, ice drills and cliff-top assaults.

The culmination of the exercise saw 'M' Company and the Indian Paratroopers combine to attack two mock enemy positions, with the main assault combining a cliff assault and a conventional attack.

Major Martin Collin, in charge of M Company, said: "As soon as we landed and departed the aircraft I began to feel light-headed and dizzy, which progressed to a strong headache later in the day.

"I've conducted mountain training around the world, never at this altitude, but nothing can prepare you for the feeling you get here.

"Thankfully, all my symptoms stopped as we moved through the acclimatisation package, although I still suffered from shortness of breath and being exhausted during physical exertion: no change there, then!"

Maj Collin said the exercises were an invaluable opportunity for 42 Commando to enhance its knowledge and experience of operating at high altitude.

Major Sandeep of the Indian Paratroopers also described the training as being hugely successful.

"The lessons learned by all parties were exceptional and I can only hope that this is the start of a lasting relationship between the Royal Marines and our paratroopers," he added.

On its return from India, M Company will continue to prepare for deployment to Norway in the early part of next year.

h+tp://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=18758824&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174

Quote Reply

Ehran 11/29/2007 1:45:18 PM

for a bunch of guys who live at sea level sounds like they did well.

Quote Reply

JFKY 11/29/2007 2:44:50 PM

Since SCCOMarine isn't here, I'll say it...the United States Marine Corps would have had NO altitude casualties! The USMC INVENTED high-altitude warfare!

Quote Reply

Est. 22 11/29/2007 3:24:49 PM

Since SCCOMarine isn't here, I'll say it...the United States Marine Corps would have had NO altitude casualties! The USMC INVENTED high-altitude warfare!

On a more serious note, I don't think the US State Department or Indian Foreign Ministry would be too happy about having American troops so close to the tri-junction of India-China-Pakistan border that these exercises were held in, even if a team from USMC's California-based mountain warfare outfit wanted to give it a try. It is one thing to conduct exercises in Bay of Bengal or IA units based with Southern Command (as they have been doing for last 2 years), but it is an entirely different matter near the borders.

Quote Reply

bob the brit 11/29/2007 4:19:27 PM

Since SCCOMarine isn't here, I'll say it...the United States Marine Corps would have had NO altitude casualties! The USMC INVENTED high-altitude warfare!

hmmm... number of problems with that statement, but oh well... we'll leave him [possibly her?] to their views [albeit rather silly views]

Quote Reply

mough 11/30/2007 1:46:54 PM

Doesn't surprise me, Bootnecks pride themselves on their ability to survive and operate in any climate or terrain, I've always liked the RM's tough non BS lads , I hate to be the Johnny comparealot, but compared to the Paras they do seem a "smarter" bunch less up their own arse in elitism...there I said it.

Quote Reply

bob the brit 11/30/2007 1:58:52 PM

never worked with bootnecks, but it's definitely not hard to be less up one's rear emergency exit than the boys in red. as for inventing HAW, i think not. history definitely shows us otherwise

Quote Reply

Sabre 12/4/2007 10:46:27 AM

Having just re-read Max Hastings' book on the Falklands, it still amazes me what a fantastic coincidence it was, that prior to yomping over the freezing bog of the Falklands, the RM had been training for years in the cold fiords of Norway...

I know that if was a Marine, I would much rather be counting coconuts after an amphibious assault on a tropical island, rather than freezing my butt off climbing up a rock.

Quote Reply

mough 12/4/2007 12:35:21 PM

Nothing odd about that, the RM's primary cold war roll was to fight and die heroically trying to stem the Russians, they are the UK's primary arctic and mountain warfare capable unit thats what they train for

Quote Reply

Sabre 12/5/2007 6:35:13 PM

I guess my point was, if you look at other Marine or Naval Infantry units in different armies around the world, one doesn't typically equate the title "Marine" with "specializing in mountain and cold-weather warfare".
Sure, the USMC has units that train in the cold, but I think that it would be a real stretch to say that the USMC specializes in it.

Quote Reply

1 2