U.S. Army trains Guyana Coast Guard during Tradewinds 2021

Photo By Lt. Elizabeth Allen | 210615-N-DA827-022 GEORGETOWN, Guyana (June 15, 2021) Master Sgt. Crystal Salazar, a Watercraft Engineer with the U.S. Army, discusses parts of a diesel engine with members from the Guyana Coast Guard following classroom instruction, as part of an exercise during Tradewinds, June 15, 2021. Tradewinds 2021 is a U.S. Southern Command sponsored Caribbean security-focused exercise in the ground, air, sea, and cyber domains, working with partner nations to conduct joint, combined and interagency training, focused on increasing regional cooperation and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Elizabeth Allen/Released)  

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

06.15.2021

Story by Lt. Elizabeth Allen 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (June 15, 2021) – Tradewinds 2021, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, multinational, Caribbean security exercise, is currently underway in the country of Guyana, and includes strengthening partnerships though the training of Guyanese forces by allied nations.
Master Sgt. Crystal Salazar, a native of Bristol, Penn., is a member of the U.S. Army and is currently in the country of Guyana, supporting Tradewinds 2021 by instructing members of the Guyana Defence Force and their department of the Coast Guard on how to work on and repair diesel engines.
Her military occupational specialty, or MOS, is 88L, which is a Watercraft Engineer. Her primary focus while in Guyana is to teach about inboard diesel engines; how they work, their parts, how they function together, how to maintain it all, and why all of this is important.
Training began with classroom instruction.
“The purpose of our training is so that they can function more so on their own two feet,” said Salazar. “It gives them that confidence, the ability and that know-how to do it on their own. This strengthens our relationships and lets them know that we’re here to help.”
Training was delayed a bit due to rain, but picked back up following the wet weather, and the team moved from the classroom to the workshop.
“It’s easier to learn by seeing it versus Power Point,” said Salazar. “They seem to enjoy it and are soaking up the information and having a lot of fun. So far so good! And they asked us to guide training in a certain way so we provided training for what they need.”
Questions were asked, tools were used, hands got dirty and the students learned from the lessons.
“Everyone seems very appreciative,” said Salazar. “They’re enjoying the training and it’s going well.”
Tradewinds 2021 is an exercise in the ground, air, sea, and cyber domains, working with partner nations to conduct joint, combined and interagency training, focused on increasing regional cooperation and stability.

• Date Taken: 06.15.2021
• Date Posted: 06.15.2021 17:43
• Story ID: 399006
• Location: GEORGETOWN, GY