Puzzle Palace: The Unofficial Commando Think Tank

@pinstripedline @TomSharpe134 Good article from @TomSharpe134. Could also have focussed on the positives - the military is holding its leaders to account for their behaviour in a way that cannot be said for the rest of Whitehall.

@puzzlepalaceRM @TomSharpe134 Depends on context surely?

A great article by @TomSharpe134 - I agree with his judgement that this is down to an MOD failure to communicate difficult news, hoping the story would die and then watching it become far worse as a result. telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/1…

@pinstripedline @TomSharpe134 In this scenario.

@nleaney They used flares to communicate in flight.

I think I’m going to regret this but what’s the one thing you’ve learned from #MastersOfTheAir so far?

@thinkdefence Commando Force is one element of the Navy Strike Network- which covers this. It’s in train but a big job.

Just an idle thought on the future of the Royal Marines, if they want to be a commando raiding type force, why should they limit themselves to small arms and mean looks? Why not raiding with Naval Strike Missile, Land Precision Strike, and GMLRS?

Royal Marines's Commando Force, simplifying concept, does what British Army now also says must be done: "fight by recce-strike at all levels". Wants to creep in the deep & cause disproportionate damage by directing strikes & using organic drones, loitering munitions, missiles.

@LandSharkUK @ric_cole @tinman197474747 @thinkdefence 🎣

@ric_cole @tinman197474747 @thinkdefence To be clear, this is not a criticism of individuals and teams within the Marines of which I am sure there are many examples of excellence. The organisation responsible for managing the Marines is the opposite, and has failed to deliver in the post Afghanistan world.

Unfortunately the Marines had a bad decade. And have generally been without direction in their post Afghanistan world. Here's some thoughts on a path forward. 1/12

@LandSharkUK 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Today, we remember Cpl Danny Winter RM, killed 14 January 2009 in Afghanistan. We will remember.

The @RoyalMarines Roundup 2023 is out! • Evacuation of Sudan • Talisman Sabre in Australia • Training with the @USMC • The new KS-1 rifle • Boarding Ops • Training Kenyan Marines • Winter Deployment • Green Dagger in the USA • UK Ops • #UKNL50 • RMR75 • Ceremonial.

SOCOM and #NSW recognizes the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of America's first two @USNavy #SEAL teams, which were established in 1962. #NavySEALs #SealTeam1 #SealTeam2

@Seniram_Layor @pinstripedline @SheridanDani @larisamlbrown His commentary probably get’s filtered to the same place as RM H&A recommendations…

Telegraph (@SheridanDani) and Times (@larisamlbrown) have reported that the Royal Navy is planning to scrap or pay off 2 x Type 23 and both LPDs Pinstripedline analysis asks if this is a pragmatic reality check or more bad news for the Royal Navy? tinyurl.com/26sra849

Comes after @SheridanDani revealed HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll are to be decommissioned to free up sailors for new warships

Exclusive: HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are to be mothballed under government plans to make up for a severe sailor shortage thetimes.co.uk/article/4d0e2a…

@thinkdefence Looking forward to this one!

The next Long Read on TD will be a look at vehicles that can be carried inside Chinook and Merlin helicopters, nit as an underslung load

@RoyalNavy @RoyalMarines Distinct lack of Lovat. This time not a single RM from a front line unit and not a single Reg OR. How can it be that RM make up 21% of the RN, hold successful joint positions, yet are routinely overlooked for H&A? @UKSEAC @FirstSeaLord @ric_cole @RoyalMarines @Wo1JimWright

Congratulations to 23 sailors and @RoyalMarines whose efforts on behalf of the Service - and the nation - have been acknowledged by His Majesty. Personnel of all ranks, trades and experience have been named in the New Year's Honours. Find out who: royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-lates…

@thinkdefence A bit like this.. x.com/ric_cole/statu…

The obvious conclusion is that parachute and light role forces need to compensate by motorising Paras, Marines, and others, need transportable or dropable vehicles to remain relevant in future operations

One of the observations from Ukraine that seems little observed is that any light role forces that want to exploit the speed and reach of aircraft/parachutes or helicopters will be pushed increasingly greater distances from their objective by air defence and observation

@sentdefender Is this an attach on a church, or a military defensive position built next to a church? Looks like a Sangar type structure to me, rather than a church. @sentdefender @Osinttechnical

Hezbollah has released Footage today showing their Attack yesterday on the St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church within the City of Iqrit in Northern Israel, with an Anti-Tank Guided Missile which resulted in a Member of the Church Staff to be Seriously Injured; following the First Attack several IDF Soldiers arrived at the Church to provide Aid to the Injured Man only to have a Second Missile be launched resulting in 9 Soldiers to also be Injured.

@ForcesReviewUK @PrevailPartners 😂

@puzzlepalaceRM @PrevailPartners

@nicholadrummond Interesting take on things. Always helpful to get a diverse insight….

Soldier from the Ranger Regiment carrying the new L403A1 rifle. The Army has recently introduced a new 10-week basic Ranger selection course. This combines physical assessment with mental aptitude testing. Some people scoffed at the Ranger concept, but it’s proving to be a great addition to the Army’s specialised offering. It continues to train large numbers of Ukrainian troops.