A Beach Near Plymouth - Royal Marines from Yankee Company, 45 Commando, RM, along with Royal Marines from Assault Ship BULWARK conducted a beach assault landing rehearsal in Carlyon Bay near St Austell prior to departing for the Mediterranean as part of the Cougar 12 deployment.    This is/was the largest Royal Navy amphibious exercise this year.    The ‘wader exercise’ – a landing in slow time – tested the ability of the force with rotary elements made up of a CHINOOK helicopter which lifted parts of a bridge from the Logistic Ship HARTLAND POINT to the shore where Combat Engineers from 24 Commando Engineer Regiment RE attached to 3 Commando Brigade, RM pieced the sections together.    Also participating in the exercise were the artillery of 29 Commando Regiment RA and the landing craft from 4 Assault Squadron RM working from the Assault Ship BULWARK.    The Helicopter Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS was also present with APACHE Gunships and SEA KING HC4 Commando. Transport helicopters operating carrying units of 45 Commando, RM ashore.