NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Jan. 29, 2019) – Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) Marines, Sailors and British Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and Army including Gibraltar Regiment and Army Commando teamed up to participate in TF 51/5’s monthly Directorate’s Cup competition, Jan. 24.
According to Theatre Security Cooperation Action Officer Maj. Robert Courtier, the only British Royal Marine assigned to TF 51/5, this month’s competition was designed to challenge the service members’ combat fitness, leadership and teamwork as well as to promote camaraderie between the two countries’ military services.
“The purpose was to provide an opportunity for U.S. and U.K. personnel to forge camaraderie within a competitive, fun atmosphere in order to enhance integration and interoperability,” said Courtier.
Designed to challenge each service member and encourage teamwork among the different services, Courtier explained that that the competition organized seven teams (comprised of four U.S. service members along with four U.K service members) to compete in four events: a casualty evacuation drill in which one member of each team was carried in a litter by four to six teammates from one end of Naval Support Activity Bahrain’s softball field to the other for four repetitions; a run with three, 30 pound ammunition cans; a “caterpillar” push-up station and a sprint relay.
“We brought together all of the United Kingdom personnel stationed here to have a friendly competition,” said Maj. Gloria Luedtke, Headquarters Company commanding officer. “It was just one way to get to know each other and we want to continue this partnership and do more activities in the future.”
The Headquarters Company and Directorate of Plans teams tied for first place, resulting in a tie-breaking tug-of-war stand-off where the Directorate of Plans team reigned victorious.
Commanded by U.S. Marine Corps one-star general, TF 51/5 is the first command structure of its kind since World War II. The integrated Navy and Marine Corps team works collectively to strengthen partnerships with both naval and special operations forces, build relationships with joint and regional coalition partners and enhance crisis response.
For more information about TF 51/5 visit our website www.TF515.marines.mil or subscribe to our DVIDS page www.dvidshub.net/unit/5MEB contact TF 51/5 Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at Sandra.arnold@me.usmc.mil, 973-1785-6965 or Marine Capt. Adam Miller at adam.miller2@me.usmc.mil.