File:ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS PRACTISE FIGHTING SKILLS IN DESERT HEAT MOD 45158627.jpg

English: Royal Marines of 45 Commandos honing their skills alongside their Dutch and US counterparts in the Mojave Desert sands of California.

Based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre (MCAGCC) in 29 Palms, the Commandos were living out of accommodation similar to air raid shelters while taking part in the annual exercise Black Alligator.

For the Combined Arms Live Firing Exercise (CALFEX) it was Yankee Company that, under cover of darkness, began a 12km 'yomp' over treacherous ground to form up by 5am and plan their assault.

Two hours later, 7 Battery of 29 Commando who are usually based in Arbroath, started engaging enemy positions with 105mm rounds. This was followed by 81mm mortar fire from the mortar line using both high explosive rounds and smoke rounds, while snipers were deployed to take up position and take out high value targets as required.

With typical Royal Marine determination, Y Company secured the first objective, leaving it to the Dutch Marines to secure the second.

Finally with supporting firepower from M1A1 Abrams Tanks, the Viking Armoured Vehicles and marines from W Company took the final position as F16s dropped inert 500lb and a 2000lb bombs – their objective completed.

• Organization: Royal Navy
• Object Name: SH140037086
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: People, Royal Marines, Training, Foreign Personnel, NATO, Operations, Exercises, Equipment, Clothing, Camouflage, Protective
• Keywords: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Personnel, Non-Identifiable, Unit, 3 Commando Brigade, 45 Commando, 45 Cdo, Training, Partnership, International, Cooperation, Joint, USA, Dutch, Black Alligator 14
• Country: USA