MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – U.S. Marines from 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, and 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted assault amphibious vehicle familiarization training with Canadian and Mexican service members during Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 29, 2018.
Assault amphibious vehicle familiarization is a three-step training evolution that utilizes the ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach to provide Marines and partner forces with an understanding of the functions and capabilities of the vehicles while also taking into account infantry integration considerations.
Roughly 70 percent of the world is water, 80 percent of the world’s population lives on or near the coast and 90 percent of international commerce moves by the sea. Capable partners help ensure stability and prosperity around the world, training opportunities such as these ensure that the Marine Corps as well as our partner nations fully understand operations with the AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles, or AAV.
“We’ve been working with and integrating amongst our partner forces learning AAV and other amphibious assault operations,” said Canadian Army Lt. Jacob Simard, pon commander for 2nd Battalion, 22e Régiment. “It’s been a great learning experience for myself and those who took part in the training.”
The training began June 27 and included the sharing of information on weapons and infantry tactics among the partner forces, in preparation for the final portion of the training evolution.
RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that strengthens international maritime partnerships, enhances interoperability and improves the readiness of participating forces for a wide range of potential operations.
“Learning the capabilities of and limitations of the AAV and understanding how the 15th MEU – who specialize in amphibious operations, operate in their environment and to have them share their practices and expertise with us is an awesome experience,” Simard said. “Working with the Marines has been an experience that will follow me and my guys throughout our careers.”
In the final day of the training, Marines worked alongside partner forces participating in an amphibious assault demonstration – showcasing everything they had learned.
While the beginning of the training was difficult due to the language barrier, the end result showcased a capable fighting force, according to U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Micheal Kevlar, a platoon sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
“Even though we aren’t from the same places or speak the same language, I would have no trouble knowing that those guys have my back and I have theirs,” he added.
Marines training with partner nations from around the world enhances prowess. RIMPAC provides high-value training for task-organized, highly-capable Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhances the critical crisis response capability of U.S. Marines in the Pacific.