Philippine Marines share jungle survival skills with US Marines

Photo By Sgt. Brandon Suhr | Philippine Marine Staff Sgt. Calixton Deatras demonstrates how to start a fire using only bamboo and a knife during a jungle environmental survival training course in Zambales Province April 10 as a part of Exercise Balikatan 2013. Philippine reconnaissance Marines held the course to teach U.S. service members their tactics on jungle survival. Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest. Deatras is the armory noncommissioned officer with the Philippines Force Reconnaissance Battalion. The U.S. service members are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF.  

ZAMBALES, PHILIPPINES

04.10.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon Suhr 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

ZAMBALES, Philippines - Marines and sailors from the 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion and Combat Logistics Regiment 35 participated in a jungle environmental survival training class instructed by Philippine reconnaissance Marines April 10 during exercise Balikatan 2013.

The training helped the Marines better understand jungle warfare tactics and further strengthened the relationship between the two forces.

“This was a good opportunity to share the information we have and the tactics we use to survive in the jungle,” said Philippine Marine Sgt. Bimbo Busico, a JEST instructor and intelligence analyst with the Philippines Force Reconnaissance Battalion. “It wasn’t only about training, but also about the camaraderie amongst the forces. We are always sharing our tactics and techniques.”

The bilateral training led by the Philippine Marines showcased the strong relationship between the Philippines and U.S., according to U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Iain A. Orr, an engineer equipment mechanic with CLR-35.

As treaty allies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military have a long-standing friendship that has contributed to regional security, stability and is deeply rooted in cooperation.

“It was nice to be able to learn some different ways to survive in a jungle environment,” said Orr. “If I ever need to survive or live in the jungle, I would try my best to think back to this training and apply it to the best of my ability.”

The JEST was an important factor in achieving one of the goals of BK 13 which is to increase interoperability and enhance military-to-military relations and combined combat capabilities.

“We also taught them about the psychological aspect on how to survive in the jungle because no matter how well trained you are you may not know the things that will affect your mind,” said Busico. “Your skills will be useless if you do not have prioritization.”

“I enjoyed this training and I was able to take in a lot of new techniques on how to catch food, gather water and make a shelter,” said Orr. “I may not have thought of ever doing some of those techniques.”

Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2013
• Date Posted: 04.16.2013 01:38
• Story ID: 105249
• Location: ZAMBALES, PH