MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Royal Navy: Exercise Polar.

The RN&RM North & South Pole Expedition 2006' Promoting the spirit of adventure through interactive ski treks to the North and South Poles'.

Ex PQ is a major RN&RM Expedition to mount ski treks to the North and South Poles in 2006. It is proposed to find the manpower from regular and Cadet Forces. Authority to proceed with this project was granted by the RM Major Expeditions Committee in August 2004.

The expedition launches in the Canadian High Arctic in March 2006 with a polar training package and trek to the magnetic North Pole. The 30-day project is aimed at novice members of the service and will comprise a 8-strong Ice Party (to include 2 Cadets) and a 1-man Base Camp. On arrival at the Pole the team will be extracted by air and flown to Beechy Island to conduct a memorial service.

In November 2006 a different, although more experienced, 7-strong Ice Party (including 1 Cadet) will conduct a 50-day 1,000km ski to the geographical South Pole. On arrival at the Pole the team will locate the spot at which Capt R F Scott RN raised the Union Flag in 1912 and a memorial service will be conducted in memory of all Naval ranks involved in polar exploration. A 3-man Rear Link Detachment is to be established at CTCRM to provide the primary communications node.

Capitalising on advances in communications technology it will provide, for the first time, full access to a service expedition through an interactive website and there will be much to be gained in terms of PR and recruiting benefit as well as the direct benefit to the expedition members.

The educational component of the project is vested in the Polar Watch concept that aims to promote the spirit of adventure through online learning initiatives. Managed by Exmouth Community College, online tools aim to bring the expedition into the classroom and through communications technology provide real-time interaction between the expedition and school.

Exmouth Community College is mounting an independent student expedition to the High Arctic, with the intent of meeting the team at the North Pole.(RN)