Marines, Tanzanians conduct final illicit trafficking training exercise

Photo By Sgt. Lucas Hopkins | U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to a Security Cooperation Team with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis-Response Africa, and Tanzanian Park Rangers prepare to make a tactical movement from a patrol base to the Matambwe Park Headquarters on the Selous Game Reserve in Matambwe, Tanzania, March 26, 2015. The training event required the Park Rangers to conduct security and reconnaissance patrols, work a combat operations center, and move patrol bases every 24 hours in an effort to improve their infantry skills and combat illicit trafficking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lucas J. Hopkins/Released)  

SELOUS GAME RESERVE, TANZANIA

03.26.2015

Story by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

SELOUS GAME RESERVE, Tanzania – Approximately 15 U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to a Security Cooperation Team with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, conducted a patrol exercise with more than 40 Tanzanian park rangers on the Selous Game Reserve in Matambwe, Tanzania, March 24-26, 2015.

The exercise concluded a four-week counter illicit-trafficking course, combining the infantry skills taught by the service members. While the event allowed the Park Rangers to hone skills such as patrolling, land navigation, and working combat operation centers, they were also required to move patrol bases every 24 hours.

“Our intent here is to learn how to be more foot-mobile, while reinforcing the concepts of being expeditionary and locating the enemy,” said 1st Lt. Nathaniel Kaine, the SCT officer-in-charge.

The Marines and Sailors spent the majority of the previous three weeks instructing, demonstrating, and practicing techniques with the park rangers. But the final exercise allowed the Tanzanians to take center stage as the U.S. trainers supervised and advised the students.

“For the most part, it’s been the rangers working on their own while utilizing battle-tracking, operating a combat operations center, and planning patrols to find the simulated traffickers,” said Kaine.

Park rangers operating the COC were given mock intelligence reports of illicit traffickers within the vicinity of the patrol base.

“We helped to shift their mindsets from conducting security patrols near their campsites, to bringing the fight to the enemy,” said Kaine.

Throughout the exercise, the Marines stressed the importance of operating quickly and deliberately.

“Patrol base operations are vital to their mission success. It allows the park rangers to cover more ground with fewer people,” said Cpl. Joseph Kakascik, a squad advisor with SPMAGTF-CR-AF.

On the last day, the two groups gathered their belongings and began maneuvering to the Matambwe Park Headquarters.

“At the basic infantry level, their skills were good to begin with, but now they’re extremely well off. They have a refinement of the bigger picture when it comes to combating illicit trafficking, while also working to develop the other skills that will make them more effective,” said Kakascik.

“Overall, I’m very happy with our training mission,” said Kaine. “I’ve seen a lot of good effort from both the Marines and the Tanzanians, and there’s been good relationship building, which is always a positive sign in how the training is being received.”

• Date Taken: 03.26.2015
• Date Posted: 04.13.2015 06:25
• Story ID: 159811
• Location: SELOUS GAME RESERVE, TZ
• Hometown: CARROLLTON, OH, US
• Hometown: MOULTONBOROUGH, NH, US
• Hometown: RICHMOND, VA, US