British Military Pictures & Videos

Under cover of darkness the first landing craft stealthily departed HMS Bulwark marking the start of exercise Albanian Lion.

Over the course of four days hundreds of Royal Marines, supported by Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels as well as elements of the Army, will enter a fictional nation and attempt to defeat an insurgent group and restore stability.

Iamges by L(Phot) Arron Hoare




The Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron prepares to take off. Over the course of four days hundreds of Royal Marines, supported by Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels as well as elements of the Army, will enter a fictional nation and attempt to defeat an insurgent group and restore stability.




Over the course of four days hundreds of Royal Marines, supported by Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels as well as elements of the Army, will enter a fictional nation and attempt to defeat an insurgent group and restore stability.

In reality Albanian Lion is the first in a series of exercises making up Cougar 13, the Royal Navy’s annual deployment of its high readiness Response Force Task Group (RFTG).




Taking part in the first wave of the Albanian Lion assault are more than 300 Royal Marine Commandos.




Taking part in the first wave of the Albanian Lion assault are more than 300 Royal Marine Commandos.




Taking part in the first wave of the Albanian Lion assault are more than 300 Royal Marine Commandos.




The Operations room on HMS Bulwark.




Under cover of darkness the first landing craft stealthily departed HMS Bulwark marking the start of exercise Albanian Lion.


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A Royal Navy warship on deployment in the Mediterranean has been flexing her hunter-killer technique in an anti-submarine warfare exercise with the Italian Navy.

HMS Westminster is working as part of the Navy’s Response Force Task Group which is on an annual deployment to the Med and then the Gulf that tests the flexibility and capability of the force.

Images by LA(Phot) Dan Rosenbaum




HMS Westminster has met up with Italian Destroyer Francesco Mimbelli to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises (ASWEX).

During this time, a Crosspol was conducted with the Italian Destroyer, along with Operations Rooms teams closed up for the duration of the exercise. HMS Westminster and Italian Naval Ship Mimbelli sailing in unison with the Submarine Salvatore Pelosi sailing at best speed.




After Sailing from Portsmouth Naval Base for her deployment, HMS Westminster's Gunnery Teams conduct a basic Gunnery Exercise involving the use of medium and close range weapons, including the 4.5" Gun, 30mm Gun, GPMG and Mini Gun.

The purpose of the exercise is to hone and enhance their skills utilising a variety of weapons onboard the Ship.A blast of smoke emnates from the 30mm barrel during firing.




After Sailing from Portsmouth Naval Base for her deployment, HMS Westminster's Gunnery Teams conduct a basic Gunnery Exercise involving the use of medium and close range weapons, including the 4.5" Gun, 30mm Gun, GPMG and Mini Gun.

The purpose of the exercise is to hone and enhance their skills utilising a variety of weapons onboard the Ship. A member of the Gunnery Team fires off the GPMG.




HMS Westminster's embarked Royal Marines have started their own training on board.

With a week gone into the deployment, Royal Marines from 43 Commando started their training with some familiarisation fast roping training.

This type of insertion method is favoured by the Royal Marines due to its fast and efficient effectiveness. A member of the Ship's embarked Royal Marines fast ropes out of a Lynx Mk 8 helicopter.




During HMS Westminster's deployment,she underwent an exercise in which a crash on deck is simulated.

All Ship's reactions are required in what sometime can be multiple fires and casualties. The exercise tested the Ship's Company to their limits both mentally and physically in the baking mediterranean heat.Members of the flight start fighting the fire on the flight deck during the exercise.




HMS Westminster's Boarding team comprising of Royal Marines and Sailors off the Ship set about conducting a boarding exercise utilising both seaboat.

They went through the process of boarding and conducting searches of compartments and of people. The Ship is currently deployed and will return to the Uk in late February 2014.Royal Marines from 43 Commando (Faslane) conduct a boarding exercise searching people on the Flight Deck of HMS Westminster.




HMS Westminster has met up with Italian Destroyer Francesco Mimbelli to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises (ASWEX).

During this time, a Crosspol was conducted with the Italian Destroyer, along with Operations Rooms teams closed up for the duration of the exercise. HMS Westminster and Italian Naval Ship Mimbelli sailing in unison.


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[FONT=&amp]Soldiers from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Battalion The Coldstream Guards during Pre Operational training in Kenya – July 2013[/FONT]
































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617 squadron will deploy to Afghanistan later this year to relieve 12 bomber squadron also based at Lossiemouth. This will be the final deployment for the squadron as the RAF have announced that the famous Dambusters will be wound down once they return from their final tour in Afghanistan until the RAF's new fighter jets arrive in three years time.




A Tornado GR4R takes off as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Alex Lock, from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouthinspects a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson, from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouthinspects a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson, from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouthinspects a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson, from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouthinspects a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson, from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouthinspects a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




A Tornado GR4R takes off as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Alex Lock and Flight Lieutenant Al Spence from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth run towards a Tornado during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Pilots check round a Tornado GR4R as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson prepare to fly a Tornado GR4R as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant James Mander and Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson prepare to fly aTornado GR4R as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant James Mander and Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson prepare to fly aa Tornado GR4R as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Flight Lieutenant James Mander and Flight Lieutenant Ian Abson prepare to fly aa Tornado GR4R as 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.





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617 squadron will deploy to Afghanistan later this year to relieve 12 bomber squadron also based at Lossiemouth. This will be the final deployment for the squadron as the RAF have announced that the famous Dambusters will be wound down once they return from their final tour in Afghanistan until the RAF's new fighter jets arrive in three years time.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in road traffic accident during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in road traffic accident during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in chemical attack during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in chemical attack during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in chemical attack during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in chemical attack during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in chemical attack during War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 2, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.




Personnel from RAF 617 squadron based at Lossiemouth take part in War Week Mission Rehearsal Exercise, in preparation for their final Afghanistan deployment on October 3, 2013 in Lossiemouth, Scotland.


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Personnel from B Squadron, 9/12 Royal Lancers and Coldstream Guards,will form the basis of the 7 (Armd) Brigade Reconnaissance Force on Op Herrick 19. Troops have been preparing for the role with a bespoke training package delivered by the OPTAG Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) that includes vehicle mobility drills on Jackal and Coyote at Branuton Burrows, in Devon, and surveillance and reconnaissance work at the Sennybridge Training Area in the Brecon Beacons.

Photos credited Soldier Magazine/Crown Copyright.




























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