Florence, S.C. native returns from training in Nigeria

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | First Lieutenant Brian Elender recently returned from a training engagement in Nigeria where he trained alongside the Nigerian Navy, Nov. 28-Dec. 13. Elender is a Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and was part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen working alongside members of the Nigerian Navy to enhance maintenance based tactics, techniques and procedures for small boats to help sustain the equipment needed for maritime security while also enhancing interoperability between the two militaries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn Valosin)  

SIGONELLA, ITALY

01.11.2015

Story by Cpl. Shawn Valosin 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

SIGONELLA, Italy - First Lieutenant Brian Elender is a Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa who recently returned from a training engagement in Nigeria where he trained alongside the Nigerian Navy, Nov. 28-Dec. 13.

The Florence, S.C., native was part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen working alongside members of the Nigerian Navy to enhance maintenance based tactics, techniques and procedures for small boats to help sustain the equipment needed for maritime security while also enhancing interoperability between the military services.

Illicit and uncontrolled activities, including trafficking, piracy, and illegal and unregulated fishing are a few of the security challenges Africa faces on the maritime front.

The safety of the security sector at sea is important not only to the communities that live near the sea but also to maritime trade, ocean resources and multilateral relations at the international level.

Maritime readiness and security begins at the lowest level, with maintenance to ensure equipment is ready to conduct operations.
Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa out of Naval Air Station Sigonella is a rotational deployment of Marines and Sailors for theater security cooperation engagements in various African countries that started in 2011.

The current iteration is sourced from units across II Marine Expeditionary Force and is primarily sourced from Combat Logistics Battalion-2 out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Also supporting SPMAGTF-CR-AF is a detachment from the U.S. Coast Guard.

SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa strengthens U. S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa and U. S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing security challenges. Marines, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen with SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa conduct theater security cooperation, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide contingency support to crisis response.

• Date Taken: 01.11.2015
• Date Posted: 01.11.2015 08:27
• Story ID: 151726
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT
• Hometown: FLORENCE, SC, US