Exercise Tartan Eagle Phase I

Photo By Staff Sgt. Servante Coba | British Royal Marine Commandos practice room clearing tactics during close-quarters battle (CQB) training at Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, Chesapeake, Virginia, July 31, 2023. CQB training allowed U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines to improve their skills in room clearing, and efficiently engage an enemy indoors. Exercise Tartan Eagle is an annual bilateral training exercise for the U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment and British Royal Marines with 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines to travel to each other's training facilities to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in fixed site security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Servante R. Coba)  

CHESAPEAKE , VA, UNITED STATES

09.25.2023

Story by Sgt. Hannah Adams 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

NAVAL NORTHWEST ANNEX, Va.— Royal Marine Seth Waterman, a rifleman for 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, expresses his excitement to participate in Exercise Tartan Eagle 2023, phase one.

Further, 43 Commando is part of 3 Commando Brigade, the United Kingdom’s high-readiness expeditionary amphibious force that divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy an enemy's military potential before it can be used effectively against friendly forces across the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. 43 Commando works closely with the U.S. Marine Corps, Ministry Of Defence Police, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and U.S. Coast Guard.

“My role here for Tartan Eagle phase I is to take it all in. This includes Close Quarters Battle exercise and taking advice from the Marines,” Waterman expressed. “In return we are able to exchange with Marines alternative ways to shoot as well.”

Tartan Eagle, an annual training exercise between the United States Marine Corps and British Royal Marines. Exercise Tartan Eagle is an annual bilateral training exercise for Marines and Royal Marines to advance tactics, techniques and procedures, to ultimately foster a relationship promoting integration, interoperability and interdependence.

The first section of Tartan Eagle phase I reviewed weapon systems and integrated the Marines. Additionally, service members assessed training differences to increase communication efficiency for the duration of the exercise and beyond.

“The mission for Tartan Eagle is to integrate the two countries. We have similar mission statements, but slight changes on how we deliver. This is why we are here.”

Tartan Eagle phase I is on U.S. soil. This includes the two forces collaborating on weapons safety, undergo M4 Carbine Rifles and M18 pistol course of fire, and partner up for CQB techniques.

“It was a steep learning curve to be exposed to alternative weapon systems and training, but fundamentally we both have been firing more rounds than either services would do on a regular day.”

During the CQB exercises, it tested the Marines because of its unpredictable scenarios. CQB training included close range targets in confined spaces, with an unknown scenario. This called for Royal Marines and U.S. Marines to work together to accomplish the mission.

“We worked really well together, nobody was unsafe.” Waterman stated, “It's been fantastic to shoot rounds down range and get immediate feedback.”

Waterman left exercise Tartan Eagle phase I with a new perspective in his occupational field and eager to teach other service members.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2023
• Date Posted: 09.25.2023 14:16
• Story ID: 454197
• Location: CHESAPEAKE , VA, US