Bermuda Regiment has flown out to North Carolina for training at US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Exercise Island Marine is a two-week training package in which soldiers are taking part in range work and internal security operations in urban settings, culminating in an intense final training exercise.

They departed Bermuda on a charter flight for the camp on Saturday the first time they have been there since 2001.

Captain Chris Gauntlett, the Adjutant, said in a press release: "We have for the past seven years been training in Jamaica, Florida and the UK, and we are excited to be able to return to Lejeune and renew our ties with the United States Marine Corps.

"Although many of the senior commanders in the Regiment have been to North Carolina on annual camps in the past, this is the first time there for the second and third year soldiers who make up the bulk of the group travelling this year."

Camp Lejeune is the home of II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and other combat units and support commands. It spans 156,000 acres — in contrast, Bermuda covers only about 10,000 acres, and the City of Hamilton 180.

Over the area of the base, Camp Lejeune offers 11 miles of beach for amphibious operations training, 34 gun positions, 50 tactical landing zones, three Urban Terrain training areas and 80 live fire ranges.

To prepare for North Carolina, the Regiment last month hosted two US Marine Corps Staff Sergeants, who conducted driver training for Regiment Motor Transport personnel.

Drivers underwent pre-training on the US Military Humvee, which they will be using throughout the overseas camp. SSgt Michael Johnson and SSgt Daniel Schmidt were in Bermuda for six days conducting the training.

Captain Gauntlett said: "It's especially valuable for the drivers to get an opportunity to pre-train on the Humvees, as they simply won't have time to do the training once the camp starts. All the troops will hit the ground running (or driving) for the start of the exercise and we're very grateful that the Marine Corps were able to help us out in this way.

"We are really pleased to be able to offer these kinds of experiences to our soldiers. Exercises like this one are second to none in quality of training, and it will surely make a lasting impression on all those who are participating.

"Our hope is that the younger soldiers will realise what a major accomplishment it is to take part in this type of exercise, and that they'll return to Bermuda with a new outlook on their service to their country."

n For more information on the Regiment, see the new website at www.bermudaregiment.bm.