Benin soldiers get taste of U.S. Marine training

Photo By Chad McMeen | Major Kyle Andrews presents a certificate of completion to a Benin soldier October 10, 2013. Dozens of U.S. troops met with Benin Armed Forces to work on different tactical procedures in order to build on their maritime security capabilities during an Africa Partnership Station 13 engagement. APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. The Marines left Benin with a positive mentality knowing they accomplished their mission, and strengthened ties between the two countries. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Marco Mancha)  

BENIN

10.08.2013

Courtesy Story

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

BENIN - United States Marines and sailors with Africa Partnership Station 13 continued their tour down the Western coast of Africa October 8, 2013.

Dozens of troops met with Benin Armed Forces to work on different tactical procedures in order to build on their maritime security capabilities.

The group of Marines focused on different types of patrolling procedures, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and other combative skills. Each engagement allowed the international forces to build friendly bonds throughout the exercises.

“The Benin soldiers learned very fast,” said Lyons, Neb., native, Lance Cpl. Derek Burt. “We taught each other tactical weapons handling, and despite the language barrier, the training went very smooth.”

Africa Partnership Station 13, a unit focused on promoting maritime security and cooperation, are no strangers to working with African military forces. The security cooperation task force recently worked with other countries such as Senegal, and Ghana, with the same mission as in Benin.

Every engagement, however, was unique in its own way. This exercise allowed the Marines to work with the host nation forces more intimately because of the small number of soldiers who participated.

“This experience is one, I think, me or any of my fellow soldiers will never forget,” said MT2 Rachidi Ahouandjanou. “The training allowed us to see what other highly-skilled military forces can do, and they were very helpful in teaching us their procedures.”

The training focused on more than techniques and built on strong relationships with each other. The U.S. was able to make their friendly ties apparent when they presented the Benin forces with a certificate of completion after successfully completing every exercise of the training.

The Marines left Benin with a positive mentality knowing they accomplished their mission, and strengthened ties between the two countries.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2013
• Date Posted: 10.25.2013 12:21
• Story ID: 115727
• Location: BJ
• Hometown: LYONS, NE, US