Marines conduct multinational training with Nicaraguan military

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero | U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South security cooperation team and members of the Ejercito de Nicaragua (National Army of Nicaragua) participated in a five-day multinational hand-to-hand combat skills exchange aboard Corinto Naval Base, Nicaragua. The team is deployed aboard high speed vessel 2 Swift in support of U.S. Southern Command’s Southern Partnership Station 2011, which is an annual deployment designed to strengthen cooperative partnerships across the Caribbean and Central and South America.  

CORINTO, NICARAGUA

04.02.2011

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

CORINTO, Nicaragua - A U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South security cooperation team and more than 25 service members from the Ejercito de Nicaragua (National Army of Nicaragua) conducted a five-day multinational hand-to-hand combat skills exchange at the Corinto Naval Base, Nicaragua, March 24.

The team of five Marines and one sailor from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group in Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story are aboard high speed vessel 2 Swift in support of U.S. Southern Command’s Southern Partnership Station 2011, which is an annual deployment designed to strengthen cooperative partnerships across the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Subject matter expert exchanges with partner nations such as the combat exchange mentioned above make up the bulk of the Marines involvement during this six-month deployment. In addition to the hand-to-hand combat skills exchange, the team also conducted non-lethal weapon, military operations in urban terrain, check point security, marksmanship and small unit tactics exchange.

“Overall SPS 11 has been a challenging and rewarding experience,” said Capt. Raul Melano, officer-in-charge of the security cooperation team, which is made up of Marines from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group. “The information exchanges we’ve been conducting with our partner nations have made us better Marines.”

The El Paso, Texas native explained, “The ability to build relationships within the region will undoubtedly help with our common interest and security concerns.”

During this SME exchange, the team covered portions of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program’s tan and grey belt curriculum. It included movement, falls, bayonet techniques, ground fighting, strikes, chokes and the counters to the same.

“This is a great experience,” said Teniente de Fragata (Lt. Junior Grade) Victor Bordas of the Fuerza Naval de Nicaragua of the MCMAP training conducted with the Marines. “Physically, this type of training is very tough; however, it is necessary to keep our military conditioning at its peak.”

According to Bordas, this exchange will greatly assist them and the Ejercito of Nicaragua as a whole, “The knowledge gained and encouragement received from the Marines is priceless. This week, we have learned or refined tools that we can then share with the rest of the Nicaraguan military and that enhances our professional capabilities.”

“Hand-to-hand combat is an extremely important technique in the military profession,” said Teniente (2nd Lieutenant) Julio Cesar Matute Maileal of the Ejercito de Tierra (Ground Force). “We plan merging the best techniques we learned this week with the best ones we already know to enhance our combat skills.”

One leadership principle that the Marine team constantly reinforced with their Nicaraguan counterparts during the exchange was the importance to train as a unit.

“During the combat conditioning drill we were able to hone our teamwork skills, which are extremely important during combat,” said Matute Maileal. Teamwork must be developed and applied to everything we do so that we can truly rely on each other. Utilizing teamwork during combat can make a difference. It could be the difference between a buddy staying alive or being severely hurt or dead.”

This is the final multinational partnership exchange before the team will returns to MCTAG, however, the experience and memories gained by the team will be remembered by all.

“It has been an honor to serve as the SNCOIC of a team of Marines that brought a vast arsenal of knowledge, gained through various deployments, skillsets, and formal schools with partner nations throughout Central and South America during SPS 11,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joe Urias, a native of San Antonio. This team was enthusiastic throughout the deployment and was always willing to share their experience and knowledge with partner nations. This mission’s success is all due to our outstanding Marines and our host partner nations that made it happen. The memories and friendships gained during the deployment will last a lifetime.”

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group provides conventional training and advisor teams to work alongside partner Nations' security forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command commands all Marine forces assigned to U.S. Southern Command; advises the commander on the proper employment and support of Marine forces; conducts deployment/redeployment planning and execution of assigned/attached Marine forces; and accomplishes other operational missions as assigned.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2011
• Date Posted: 04.06.2011 09:42
• Story ID: 68345
• Location: CORINTO, NI