CAMP TAHEER, Kuwait – Transportation Soldiers from the 47th Transportation Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, and Kuwait National Guard transportation soldiers participated in a joint partnership exercise in combatives at Camp Tahreer, Kuwait, Jan. 29.
Soldiers from both countries learned different ways to defend against and subdue combative individuals.
Sgt. Frank Rodriguez, a squad leader for the 47th TC and instructor for the event, said he developed the exercise plan with a soldier’s self defense in mind.
“I kept it focused on close quarter combat,” said Rodriguez, from Binghamton, N.Y. “As it is something that all soldiers should be aware of so they are able to defend themselves.”
After receiving the instruction, the soldiers from both countries used the techniques on each other.
“Instructing the Kuwaitis was an honor and they are quick learners,” said Rodriguez. “It was great watching them go up against U.S. soldiers with professionalism. I look forward to working with our brothers from Kuwait again.”
Working together, fostering partnership between the Kuwaiti and the U.S. forces, soldiers of both nations are making tremendous strides, gaining understanding of how the other operates.
“It was a good experience to work with a different country’s military,” said Spc. Lejean McFarlane, a motor transport operator for the 47th TC, Plantation, Fla. “They were very interactive in learning what we were showing them.”