ROYAL Marines from Norton Manor Camp have been taking part in a huge NATO training exercise in the Arctic Circle.

As part of their mission, 40 Commando raided Skrolsvik Fort, which was built in the Norwegian Senja Island by the Nazis.

Having launched from an amphibious taskforce spearheaded by HMS Albion, they 'destroyed' the infrastructure around the fort, where 'enemy systems' were denying access to air support.

They managed to secure areas for allied forces to gain access and establish a launchpad to forge inland.

It was part of Cold Response, a biennial exercise designed to demonstrate NATO’s collective Arctic war fighting capability and test their ability to protect Norway from modern threats.

This year’s exercise is the largest of its kind for more than 30 years and has involved 30,000 military personnel from 27 nations including Norwegians, US, Dutch, French, Italians and Germans.

The UK is one of very few nations capable of operating in such a demanding environment.

The Royal Marines have been conducting cold weather training in Norway for more than 50 years and are the UK’s force of choice for the region.

Brigadier Rich Cantrill, in charge of the UK’s commando forces, said: “Cold Response 22 provides an unparalleled opportunity to come together as a NATO force in the very harsh conditions of the high north and to operate across all the domains, land, air and sea.

"I know that after this exercise we will leave here better connected and more ready.

“Cold Response 22 offers an amazing opportunity to learn how to work together in a really harsh environment.

"When you are in the high north and when you are in the maritime or ashore, its real, you’ve got to cope with the environment first before you can then think about the adversary, and so there is no more realistic environment or harsh environment than up here, which is a huge opportunity for all of us.”

Earlier, the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron, drawn from Plymouth-based 30 Commando, launched a raid in a small boat from a Royal Navy submarine in Lyngenfjord deep inside the Arctic Circle to carry out reconnaissance missions in sub-zero temperatures.