Around 100 Reservists honed their skills on Exercise Commando Phoenix at Sennelager Training Area in Germany, with the exercise aiming to improve upon tactical training held in the UK over the past year.
Over the fortnight, the marines used 13 rifle and live firing ranges starting from individual close-quarters battle and working up to large-scale assaults with sustained bursts of fire from standard and heavy machine-guns providing support.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Maltby, Commanding Officer of Royal Marine Reserve Bristol said: “Ex Commando Phoenix is an excellent opportunity for Royal Marines Reserve ranks to refresh their live firing skills.
“The ranges in Sennelager provide an ideal training ground from which the Reservists, from across all four Royal Marines Reserve Units, can demonstrate their professional application of soldiering skills and Commando spirit.
“It has been a really good exercise and I look forward to making next years exercise even more challenging.”
Live firing was held both day and night and, for many reservists, this was their first opportunity to throw live grenades and experience the intensity of supporting live fire attacks.
Ex Commando Phoenix also marked the end of Phase 2 training for many ranks, ensuring the reservists are now fully deployable.
Marine Edward Reid of RMR Mersey said: “Ex Commando Phoenix has provided reservists of all different levels of experience a great opportunity to finely tune their field firing skills.
“The combination of expert coaching from the training team and use of range facilities, that simply aren’t available in the UK, has made this exercise a resounding success.”
The training is designed to improve battlefield skills in order to provide highly trained and skilled personnel for potential deployment with 3 Commando Brigade.
The exercise will run again, bigger and better in Oct 2016.
Image Sourced: Royal Navy