Commando race launches Armed Forces Day fun

AN exciting launch for Plymouth Armed Forces Day saw a high speed commando race take place across the Sound last week, 100 days before the celebration takes place on Plymouth Hoe.

- KIRSTIE MCCRUM

The adrenalin fuelled launch saw an all-action military exercise, as part of a Royal Marines recruitment drive to inspire the next generation of Commandos.

The event included a high-speed on-water display, bringing eight Royal Marines from the recruiting team of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park in their new Commando Raiding Craft, flying the Armed Forces and sponsor's flag. After landing on the Hoe foreshore, the Royal Marines climbed the 70ft walls of The Royal Citadel to the battlements, before the Armed Forces flag was presented to the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tina Tuohy. The flag was flown from the battlements of the Citadel and the Marines departed by abseiling the Citadel walls and returning to their craft.

The launch event revealed the epic programme of displays, parades, demonstrations and entertainment that is planned for Armed Forces Day, which this year takes place on Saturday, June 28, in association with defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock), which owns and operates the Devonport Royal Dockyard.

The launch party watched the exercise from battlements of The Royal Citadel. This included: WO2 Battery Sergeant Major Jim Feasey from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Deputy Lord Mayor and Consort, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility John Gane, representatives from Plymouth City Council and each Military Service, including Veterans, Cadets and Military Kids Club Heroes.