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    Lejeune Marines return from training Senegalese Commandos

    Lejeune Marines return from training Senegalese Commandos

    Photo By Capt. James Stenger | Two Senegalese Commandos sight in on a target as Cpl. Justin Schweig, a Marine with...... read more read more

    NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy - United States Marines and sailors based out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, recently completed a month-long theater security cooperation mission in Senegal.

    The team trained and advised their counterparts, the Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos (COFUMACO) on maritime security force assistance, marksmanship exercises, patrolling techniques and small boat tactics and skills.

    This mission took place as part of a months-long rotational deployment of U.S. Marines and sailors referred to as Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14.1. Established in 2011, the task force strengthens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges.

    According to 2nd Lt. Connor O’Sullivan, the assistant team leader for the security cooperation team, the training program was established to teach the 17 Senegalese Commandos the principles and best practices for a naval infantry unit. However, the commandos almost immediately exceeded expectations.

    “When we got there we were pleasantly surprised to discover how professional the COFUMACO were,” said O’Sullivan, a native of The Woodlands, Texas. As part of their training pipeline to join the COFUMACO, each commando is required to complete a rigorous 1-mile swim in the open ocean, he described.

    O’Sullivan explained that this anecdote forced the Marines to adjust their training because they had not realized the COMFUMACO were such accomplished swimmers. Adjusting the training to better suit their partners needs was a recurring theme of the mission, he said.

    The Marines broke the training mission into several parts, with a culminating exercise during the last week that focused on tactics to best execute an amphibious raid.

    “As Marines we pride ourselves on our amphibious roots,” said Cpl. Justin Schweig, a native of Chicago. “Doing an amphibious raid with the commandos allowed us to get back to that mindset.”

    Beyond the training, the Marines noted that their time in Senegal opened their eyes to a new culture.

    “We ended up falling in love with the people. It’s a totally different way of life,” said Schweig.

    “On a training level, it was a pleasure working with the commandos because they’re all motivated,” he continued. “On a personal level it was a pleasure being around them because they’re just like you and me when they’re off work or on a break. They love to joke around.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.11.2014
    Date Posted: 03.12.2014 10:31
    Story ID: 121883
    Location: SN
    Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
    Hometown: MONTICELLO, KY, US
    Hometown: THE WOODLANDS, TX, US

    Web Views: 363
    Downloads: 3

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