Exercise Joint Warrior...the future of British amphibious assault?

Exercise Joint Warrior
42 Commando Royal Marines is participating in Exercise Joint Warrior. Over the next two weeks this Plymouth based unit of 650 marines will be conducting amphibious operations from HMS Illustrious , HMS Bulwark and the Dutch ship HNLMS Rotterdam, landing into South West Scotland and moving over 100km inland. This exercise will validate 42 Commando as the immediate readiness Commando Unit, Providing the teeth for the 1800 strong lead Commando Group. This group includes a command element, helicopters, small boats and logistic support, to conduct contingent operations around the world. 42 Commando will retain this readiness for the next 12 months and expect to deploy, with the lead Commando Group, on Operation Cougar in the latter part of 2013.
Major David Ethell, Second in Command of 42 Commando Royal Marines said,” This exercise presents an opportunity for all of our capabilities to come together. 42 Commando Royal Marines has spent much of the last of the last 12 months preparing for the lead Commando role both alone and with supporting elements. This is the first time we will get to exercise all aspects of the lead Commando Group within a well-constructed scenario, in testing exercise conditions against a credible adversary.”

A good primer on British Amphibious Assault issues will be found in this Naval Requirements post.  It is a must read.