US and Colombian armies strengthen partnership during training rotation

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus | Colombian Army Maj. Gen. Alvaro Vicente Perez Duran, Deputy Commander of the Colombian Army, adresses a group of Colombian and U.S. Soldiers after they completed their live fire training lane during their Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, La. on May 5, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus)  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

05.16.2023

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus  

U.S. Army South

FORT POLK, Louisiana - The United States and Colombian armies are continually looking for ways to further strengthen the already rich partnership they share. The latest example of this comes as an infantry company from the Colombian Army was embedded with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, alongside U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, during a recent Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

“The importance of this JRTC Rotation with the Colombian Army is two-fold; it helps the Colombian Army understand a new operational environment including how to operate in large scale combat operations, and it builds readiness for the U.S. Army,” said U.S. Army Maj. Joseph Macchiarella, U.S. Army South Colombia Foreign Area Officer. “3rd Brigade, along with the 1st SFAB, were able to train on their critical task to integrate allies and partner nation forces into operations as well as identify gaps in capabilities which will need to be addressed in the near future.”

When asked about the importance of military partnerships like that between the U.S. and Colombian armies, Col. Richard Taylor, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Commander, discussed how strategic friendships and partnerships are the bedrock of any large organization.

“We know that the U.S. Army does not operate alone; every opportunity to serve alongside our partner forces is a chance to strengthen bonds and establish trust,” he said. “Both traits are crucial for interoperability and ultimately allows us to jump, fight, and win on the hardest day of ground combat.”

Taylor also commended the professionalism demonstrated throughout the rotation saying, “The soldiers and leaders of the Columbian army are disciplined, lethal, and highly competent. Our paratroopers gained knowledge from serving with them throughout the rotation.”

Though there are several challenges presented anytime two nations’ armies operate alongside one another, consistent, realistic training builds an understanding that can ease those concerns should this partnership be put to the test in a real-world operation.

“There are still many challenges to achieve interoperability, but combat training center rotations are the perfect scenario to identify shortfalls and work to find an immediate solution,” said Macchiarella at the conclusion of the rotation. “There were many lessons learned by all participants, and now the challenge remains on how to improve before the next big event.”

The military partnership between the U.S. and Colombia has been longstanding and in recent years the two nations began working together toward a common, more optimistic, goal.

“Since 2021 the U.S. and Colombia have had a process of preparation and training a unit from the army with the goal of working up to a battalion level in order to improve and achieve true interoperability,” explained Colombian Maj. Gen. Alvaro Vicente Perez, Deputy Commander of the Colombian Army. “We started in 2021 working together at the platoon level and during this JRTC rotation we trained together at the company level.”

Training at the company level as opposed to the individual squad or platoon level provided a greater understanding of each other’s capabilities and tactics during a large-scale combat operations type of environment.

“The most important thing about training like this, after talking with our Soldiers, is the opportunity to interact, train with, and understand the capabilities of other armies like the United States and see operations from another point of view,” continued Perez.

In addition to this U.S.-hosted JRTC training rotation, Colombia played host last fall to U.S. Soldiers from both the Illinois and Georgia Army National Guard during Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 which was a two-week training exercise at Tolemaida Military Base in Colombia. The exercise included a Women Peace and Security panel discussion during which senior leaders from both armies shared experiences and ideas on furthering the roles of women in security efforts in their respective countries.

• Date Taken: 05.16.2023
• Date Posted: 05.16.2023 13:44
• Story ID: 444858
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US