UK commandos and U.S. Navy SEALs test joint vessel seizures and airstrike coordination in Virginia to strengthen NATO readiness
Royal Marines and U.S. Navy SEALs completed three weeks of joint maritime-raiding training in Virginia during Exercise Resolute Strike. Personnel from 42 Commando's M Company and 148 Battery practised day and night close-quarters combat, vessel boarding, compound clearance and airstrike coordination with American special operators. A final mission launched from USS Arlington, used two Black Hawk helicopters and culminated in seizure of a target vessel. More than 20 close-quarters scenarios and simulated suppression of air defences with F/A-18 Super Hornets were intended to improve interoperability for NATO and expeditionary operations.