Preparations

Training

A squad of 120 personnel from across all ranks throughout the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force was selected in 2009. Training is underway now and targets generic skills of mountaineering and skiing. The team of 24  (plus 8 reserves) will be selected during 2011. As deployment approaches, training will target specific skills of cold climate survival, equipment familiarisation, communications and team bonding.

Planning

Expedition planning is underway beneath a tri-service Higher Planning Committee. Each of the 120 prospective team members belong to one of the planning teams and work to their team leader in accordance with the organisational chart below: