Militaries compete in log-run race

Photo By Cpl. Nathan Knapke | 1st Lt. Matthew Hanks, platoon commander, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and a Hull, Ma., native, leads a combined platoon of MRF-D Marines, French Foreign Legion and Tongan Defence Service troops during a log-run competition as part of Exercise Tafakula 2013, here, Sept. 2. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and improve U.S. military-to-military relations with the Tongan Defence Service and the French Armed Forces New Caledonia.  

TALIAI MILITARY CAMP, TONGA

09.02.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Nathan Knapke 

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

TALIAI MILITARY CAMP, KINGDOM OF TONGA — A platoon from Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, the Tongan Defence Service and the French Armed Forces New Caledonia, shared the load of carrying a 12-foot utility pole weighing approximately 300 pounds during a log-run competition, kicking off Exercise Tafakula 2013, here, Sept. 2.

All three militaries split into three new combined platoons of 20 service members from American, Tongan and French forces. This fusion of cultures tested the troops’ abilities to communicate and work together as they carried the weight of the log for an unknown distance.

“Marines got a chance to see how platoon commanders from different countries lead their troops,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Hanks, platoon commander, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, MRF-D, and a Hull, Ma., native.

Commanders from each military worked to obtain certain objectives and requirements to win the log-run competition. Teams tested their tenacity by carrying the wooden log-shaped telephone pole across their shoulders for the entire event.

However, the biggest obstacle was not the weight of the log but the different languages between the nations.

“The combination of broken English and hand signals allowed us to effectively communicate with the other countries,” said Lance Cpl. Matthew Nolan, 1st Plt. Lima Co. 3rd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment, MRF-D. “Once the language barrier was broken, it became easier to enjoy the training. We were able to learn more from each other.”

The sequence of events started with a short run that circled around a portion of Taliai Military Camp, but that was just the warm up.

The next phase lapped around a different and much longer route. In order to keep the platoons driven throughout the rigorous competition, service members shouted out war cries and motivational chants.

After all three teams finished, they traded their heavy logs in for something a bit lighter as they competed in a short-log relay race.

“This was a great way to start Exercise Tafakula 2013,” Hanks said. “It allowed Marines to get acquainted with the Tongans and the French to set the conditions for a successful next two weeks.”

The purpose of Tafakula 2013 is to enhance interoperability and improve U.S. military-to-military relations with Tongan Defence Service and French Armed Forces New Caledonia.

Completing this multicultural log race set the tone for the remainder of the exercise and brought the militaries closer together.

• Date Taken: 09.02.2013
• Date Posted: 09.18.2013 07:06
• Story ID: 113817
• Location: TALIAI MILITARY CAMP, TO