Alloa Advertiser | News | Winter training for Alloa marine

Sunday, 11th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 12:00

Winter training for Alloa marine

By Alloa news room

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Lance Corporal James Stirling has undergone some of the harshest winter training in the world.

AN ALLOA Royal Marine Reservist has been preparing for a possible tour of duty in Afghanistan by undergoing some of the world’s harshest winter combat training.

Lance Corporal James Stirling is one of 70 Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Commandos who have just returned from Norway.

James (27) joined colleagues from RMR Scotland – and from units throughout the UK – in Voss, Southern Norway, as part of Exercise Hairspring to learn key survival and tactical skills in a challenging and inhospitable environment.

The reservists were taught how to survive in their surroundings, learning to ski, build shelters such as snow holes and endure the sub-zero temperatures.

This included how to survive falling through sheet ice into deep water. Reservists were also shown how to get out of the water while keeping their equipment and spare clothing dry. Once acclimatised, they learn how to operate effectively in the cold, including weapon handling, moving by night on skis and snow shoes and camouflaging shelters.

A Royal Marine for six years, James joined the Royal Marine Reserve on leaving full-time service and has been with RMR Scotland for 12 months.

A petrol tanker driver, he lives with his wife Kerri Ann and their 15-month-old daughter Savannah in Alloa.

James said, “The best thing about being in the Royal Marine Reserves is being able to lead a double professional life, and getting the opportunity to travel to exciting places and work in some challenging conditions.

“The camaraderie we enjoy is second to none and I’ve really enjoyed my time in the service. I’m looking forward to deploying with 45 Commando, based in Arbroath, to Afghanistan later in the year.”

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Heatly, Commanding Officer of RMR Scotland, said, “We take a global perspective in the way we prepare our reservists and provide quality environmental training in the cold, jungle and desert.

“This training helps to ensure our people are able to operate in support of regular Royal Marines anywhere in the world.

“In addition to this cold weather warfare training, RMR Commandos from all over the UK also train and are tested in hot equatorial jungle environments, and plans are also being developed to train in dry, arid conditions similar to those encountered in Afghanistan.”

Royal Marines Reserve Commandos work alongside their regular comrades around the globe. The RMR has been deployed in significant numbers to the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq in a variety of front line roles.

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