Members of the UK’s elite Commando Force have once again taken part in high-stakes military exercises on the Korean Peninsula, conducting complex raiding, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions alongside American and South Korean forces. This year marked the second consecutive deployment for these troops in Exercise Ssang Yong, also known as “Twin Dragons,” a large-scale joint exercise between the United States and South Korea. 

During the exercise, Royal Marines from 40 Commando’s Alpha Company joined a 13,000-strong allied force, working alongside reconnaissance units from the US Marines' 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Operating from the eastern port city of Pohang, their missions were crucial in the lead-up to a decisive phase of the operation, which showcased the combined strength and capability of allied forces in amphibious warfare. 

As the exercise unfolded, the Royal Marines carried out covert strikes against designated ‘enemy’ positions and conducted essential intelligence-gathering operations, providing vital information to command elements to shape future battlefield strategies. 

Reflecting on the successful collaboration, Major Hugo Grant, who leads Alpha Company, noted, "We executed a diverse range of tasks, from aircraft control to detailed surveillance and reconnaissance. This deployment once again proves the UK Commando Force's ability to integrate seamlessly with international partners anywhere around the globe.”