Marines playing the waiting game

Poor intelligence information may hamper any mission undertaken by Royal Marines in Afghanistan, according to their commanding officer.

Brigadier Roger Lane says he is concerned about the lack of information, which would be used to direct commandos on the ground to targets such as Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban.

Two hundred marines from 40 Commando, based in Taunton, Somerset, are on standby for operations in Afghanistan but have yet to be given any specific orders.

The forces said they would spend about two weeks conducting live fire exercises before sailing to join Operation Veritas against Afghanistan.

If they go into combat, their role will be ‘‘intelligence-led’’, Brig Lane said in Oman, where members of 40 Commando today joined in a beach assault demonstration for dignitaries including the Duke of York.

Asked about the problem of a lack of intelligence information, Brig Lane said: ‘‘It’s a concern. Of course it’s a concern and that may well limit exactly what we do.’’

The Brigadier, head of 3 Commando Brigade, said the marines mission in the war torn country would be flexible, not just focusing on catching Osama Bin Laden but on ‘‘a wider range of targets that might be engaged’’.

Brigadier Lane said unknown quantities in Afghanistan made planning operations there particularly difficult, but he insisted his men were well prepared for any eventuality.

‘‘We have had a lot of practice in the desert and many of the skills from here are transferable,’’ he said.

‘‘The men have acclimatised and have enhanced their endurance and stamina operating in a harsh and austere environment.’’

He said the mood among the troops put on standby was mature’’. He said: ‘‘There is no triumphalism. There is very mature and measured reflection or what is being asked of them. I am confident in the leadership of my commanders.

‘‘There is no sense of crusade, but a really clear focus on what is ahead of them and, of course, concern for their loved ones.’’

Brig Lane said the 400 other marines being sent home to be on standby from the UK were not disappointed at not being chosen for the first group.

‘‘They all sense that this is not something that is going to be over quickly and that we have to rotate the men, so their time will come.’’

The Brigadier echoed reports that the marines were unlikely to go into action quickly, saying: ‘‘I would want to make sure the force is prepared before it is committed to operations. We don’t want to be too hasty. We need to be right.’’

The commander of B Company, the 200 men of 40 Commando put on ‘‘immediate standby’’, said his group was ready for anything. Major Matt James, 33, from Exeter, Devon, said: ‘‘There has been a lot of speculation about our role and it has caused a lot of worry at home. Now we know who is staying and who is going, it is very settling.

’’They will take it as it comes. I don’t know if we are going to be in action, but we are forward deployed and ready to go and do whatever job is required.’’

The Duke of York was among several dignitaries including the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce to watch the beach attack demonstration, which also included men from 29 Commando Royal Artillery and 1-48 Battery Royal Artillery.

It was the first of two days of live fire power displays marking the end of Exercise Saif Sareea II, and the largest deployment of UK forces in the Gulf region in a decade.

More than 20,000 service men and women have been working alongside Omani armed force for the exercise.