{"id":14760,"date":"2022-05-13T19:50:46","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T19:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/05\/13\/new-commando-force-leads-britains-military-in-arctic-operations\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:34:45","slug":"new-commando-force-leads-britains-military-in-arctic-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/modern-day-marine\/2022\/05\/13\/new-commando-force-leads-britains-military-in-arctic-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"New commando force leads Britain\u2019s military in Arctic operations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2015 The new Future Commando Force program, made up of about 4,000 personnel with the British Royal Marines, is leading the way in Arctic operations<\/a> for the entire service, according to the head of the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are the U.K.\u2019s Arctic experts [in] regard for specialists and electronic warfare elements,\u201d Brig. Mark Totten said at the Modern Day Marine expo on Wednesday. \u201cAnd we can use ship-to-shore maneuver and maneuver at sea to support routine operations in that theater.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, the service previously focused on the Arctic theater for \u201ctraining and environmental development,\u201d Totten said, but that\u2019s going to shift. He added that the Future Commando Force wants to bolster its resources in the region and is ready to position other readiness forces near the Suez Canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program is composed of two littoral response groups, and it aims for forces to be able to immediately deploy to complete a range of tasks, from combat operations to humanitarian missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These forces form a littoral strike group that works alongside a carrier strike group, designed to boost the carrier strike group\u2019s capabilities, Totten said. \u201cWhat we\u2019re really looking at doing in this context is supporting carrier operations much more than marines previously have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.K. has recently ramped up operations in the Arctic and called on NATO allies and partners to \u201ctake a more proactive approach to the High North,\u201d according to a strategy document from the Defence Ministry released in March<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also cautioned<\/a> the region is encountering new threats \u2014 specifically increased militarization in the area from Russia and infrastructure capabilities from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\t