Commandos of the Caribbean
Being a Royal Marine in the HADR Troop means being prepared all year round for natural disasters. This time, the Troop headed out to the edge of the Caribbean for training with the Dutch Marine Corp.
The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Troop play a vital role in supporting humanitarian disaster relief to those worst affected.
To keep their skills sharp, the Troop recently took part in Interoperability Training with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) in Curaçao.
The Dutch Island is located at the edge of the Caribbean and is known for its stunning beaches, wondrous caves and rich marine life.
HADR Troop is a vital asset of the Royal Navy. They provide the brains, brawns and expertise in the aftermath of the wake of a natural disaster, such as restoring power and water supplies.
Their training was over a 3 day period, where the Royal Marines undertook various tests and activities to improve interoperable skills.
Day 1 consisted of the Fort Nassau Run and Swim Test. This is a 6-kilometre run, starting from Navy Base Parera and followed by a mandatory swim test in order to be able to take part in the 3 Brothers Challenge that was to come.
Day 2 was the Mount Christoffel hike. The mountain is the highest point on Curaçao, standing at 372 meters. The hike has been compared by the local RNLMC as similar to Pen-Y-Fan hill — the highest peak in South Wales.
The last day of training was the 3 Brothers Challenge, which consisted of a march over difficult terrain, including three hills cross country and a water crossing in between the 2 and 3 peaks.
