SCMAGTF Marines share expertise with Dominicans

Courtesy Photo | Dominican airman, Cabo Parachutist Yeurys Gonzales Matos aims in on a target while...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Dominican airman, Cabo Parachutist Yeurys Gonzales Matos aims in on a target while conducting training with Marines from Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force. USS Wasp is currently deployed on Southern Partnership Station-Amphib with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked SCMAGTF. Southern Partnership Station is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges. (Photo by: Ensign Jason S. Fischer)  see less | View Image Page

SAN ISIDRO AIRBASE, DR

11.26.2009

Courtesy Story

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

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SAN ISIDRO AIRBASE, Dominican Republic — Members of the Dominican Air Force anti-narcotics unit DEFEND PROTECT AND SERVE and Marines and Sailors from Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force recently got a chance to hone their interoperability skills while training on the island nation.

The units took two days to exchange best practices, preparing themselves for future operations and challenges.

Training evolutions included a known distance weapons range with the M16A1 rifle, night vision goggle familiarization, patrolling, military operations in urban terrain, combat lifesaver techniques, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and a culminating event — a heliborne airfield assault.

According to Marine Capt. Nelson Candelario, officer-in-charge for these training evolutions, the benefits of joint exchanges like this are tangible and apparent to both the Americans and Dominicans.

"The Dominicans have an opportunity to learn and employ Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, which help them conduct efficient and effective military and law enforcement operations. It was obvious the Dominicans greatly enjoyed the training and saw the immediate benefits of incorporating these TTP's into their operations," he said. "Events like this demonstrate to our Marines the extent and level of training they actually receive. Oftentimes Marines fail to realize just how well trained they really are, or the disparity in training among different nations. These types of events give them some perspective. It also affords them an opportunity to take on a unique mentor role."

Parachutist Major Eddy Reyes Concepcion, DEPROSER commanding officer, said the joint training will enhance the new unit's ability to fight the war on drugs.

"This training benefits us in that we learn new techniques for combating drugs. This knowledge will be put into practice when we are conducting operations," he said. "Now we will have better results in the fight against drug trafficking and the emerging threats that we are facing everyday."

The Marines are in the region as part of Southern Partnership Station-Amphib, which is a mission that nurtures interoperability with U.S. partner nations in the Caribbean and Central America.

Candelario said effective relationship building and military to military training necessitates healthy, productive interaction between the Marines and their counterparts from other countries.

"These types of events allow us that personal interaction with PN nationals while simultaneously improving PN military personnel's skill set," he said. "It also opens the door for future similar events incorporating multiple PN's aimed at improving our partnerships."

Sgt. Brandon Price, SCMAGTF Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor, said it was an honor to learn about different cultures by working with the Dominicans, and that he was impressed with their willingness to learn new things.

"They were receptive and eager to learn. They're like sponges, pay attention and are totally focused," he said. "They might not be able to understand the language [English] very well, but through this, we can still build camaraderie."

Candelario agreed, adding the Dominicans also seemed to enjoy the exchange.

"Their reactions to the instructors, their willingness to participate and their desire to learn was evident throughout the entire evolution. Their great enthusiasm for all of the training events made it quite clear that they thoroughly enjoyed the training."

The Dominicans aren't the only ones who learned something new. Candelario said learning how other nations conduct certain types of training allows the Marines to evaluate and sharpen their own techniques.

"These events allow Marines to see the different ways that other nations approach tactical situations. This allows our Marines to view operational situations from a standpoint that they may not have prior to participating in this type event," he said. "Gaining different perspectives betters the individual Marine's ability to overcome obstacles they encounter during the course of operations."

Concepcion said training with the U.S. military gives the Dominican airmen an opportunity to make sure their training is not only adequate, but also current and timely.

"These events are an excellent way for us to gain valuable training because it allows us to determine what we need to change or improve because it is outdated and no longer effective. It helps us figure out what is current and relevant in today's operational environment," he said. "Often times we are using techniques the U.S. forces no longer use because they have developed more effective techniques. Events like this allow us to learn and also benefit from those more effective techniques."

Cabo Parachutist Yeurys Gonzales Matos agreed, adding he also made new friends during the exchange.

"They taught us skills that we have not yet employed [on the battlefield]," he said. "We are good buddies and we are grateful for the training, capabilities and knowledge we have acquired."

Conception said joint training opportunities help guarantee his airmen are ready to respond at a moment's notice.

"My men are committed to their mission 24/7 and they get the best results. They are willing to engage in operations regardless of time or place; they are always ready."

But to LCpl. Corey Armstrong, who coached M16 range, the event was deeper than just the tangible act of training together — he said he wanted to make an impact on the Dominicans.

"When we leave, I hope we leave them with the impression Marines are very professional and well-trained — we want it to mean something to them."