SAN JOSE, Guatemala -- A Security Force Assistance Mobile Training Team detachment from the Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training command concluded two weeks of training small boat operations with the Guatemalan navy and Special Forces from the Fuerza Especial Naval, Aug. 26.
Through the use of a translator and textbooks converted into Spanish, a trio of MCAST sailors successfully taught 40 Guatemalan students the skill of maneuvering their 30-foot Boston Whaler patrol boats to patrol and protect High Value Assets in unison. They also learned to tactically engage and defend themselves from enemy threats using strategic formations.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Everett H. Lyons, boatswain’s mate, from Bloomfield, N.J., was one of the instructors teaching the level two small boat operations course to the Guatemalan sailors.
“One of the main elements we taught them was to think about communications first and mission planning before they even go out there,” Lyons said. “The other thing we taught them was how to work in tight groups and formations.”