Marines and Sailors from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and U.S. Marine Forces Reserve participated alongside army and interagency companions from 22 nations in Belize and Mexico throughout a serious multinational train 7-21 May.
Exercise TRADEWINDS is a multinational train sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted by numerous nations in and across the Caribbean. This train focuses on constructing the capability, information, and experience of collaborating nations within the Caribbean to higher reply to safety threats.
Participating for the primary time within the discipline coaching portion of this train, Colombia supported TW22 by sending parts of the Colombian Marine Corps to take part within the riverine coaching occasions and parts of the Colombian Army to take part within the jungle coaching occasions. The riverine coaching came about alongside the Hondo River close to Chetumal, Mexico and consisted of a number of key occasions to incorporate small boat operations, maritime navigation, water survival, boat upkeep, seaside touchdown, maritime interdiction, riverine patrolling, helocasting, heliborne latter extractions, and ship to shore actions.
“Exercises comparable to TRADEWINDS play a big function in enhancing maritime safety all through the area and highlights the significance of working with our companions and allies…” Col. Brian Ecarius, MARFORSOUTH Director of Plans and Exercises
“The Colombian Marines displayed a high pedigree of rigor, professionalism, proficiency, and motivation. It is apparent they are extremely competent and thoroughly enjoy training with American and multinational partners,” mentioned Master Sgt. Billy Ross, the Training Chief for Third Force Reconnaissance Company. “Having the Colombians here to train and exchange knowledge was extremely beneficial to all partners involved.”
Colombia is a regional chief in riverine operations and has a lot to show army items from everywhere in the world. They function a Riverine Center of Excellence at their coaching facility in Turbo, Gulf of Uraba which is designed to be the premier riverine coaching middle within the area to show and trade their experience to companions. Additionally, Colombia is actively engaged in safety missions inside their nation targeted on counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and counterinsurgency which contributes to their capabilities and effectiveness in riverine operations. This expertise permits them to develop, refine, and validate new approaches to littoral operations serving to to make sure regional safety and stability.
“Their operations in and around the littorals have provided some fundamental insights on tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with riverine and littoral operations,” mentioned Gunnery Sgt. Julio Castellanos, MARFORSOUTH engagement chief who spent three years in an trade program with the Colombian Marine Corps. “There is so much they have taught us already and that we can continue to learn from them to advance our own capabilities and concepts.”
Working Together
Photo by Sgt. Matthew Teutsch
The U.S. and Colombian Marine Corps have a historic relationship that’s strengthened by shared challenges, shared visions, and shared values. Each yr the 2 forces conduct a number of material skilled exchanges that present a venue to study from one another on matters comparable to amphibious planning, expeditionary logistics, and management growth. Littoral and expeditionary operations are a serious focus of the 2 nations’ and facilitate elevated interoperability and unity of effort.
TRADEWINDS is a key alternative to develop upon this relationship and permit Colombia to proceed its function in exporting safety all through the Western Hemisphere. Not solely does it present collaborating nations the chance to conduct mixed, joint, and interagency coaching targeted on advanced multinational safety operations, it enhances cooperation and interoperability all through the area as effectively. Colombia and the U.S. have lots to supply on this regard and the 2 nations are presently in discussions to extend participation and co-lead a coaching lane throughout TW23, hosted by Guyana.
“Exercises such as TRADEWINDS play a significant role in enhancing maritime security throughout the region and highlights the importance of working with our partners and allies to achieve common objectives and regional security,” mentioned Col. Brian Ecarius, MARFORSOUTH Director of Plans and Exercises. “Latin America and the Caribbean are home to significant coastal and riverine environments making it a premiere location for maritime partnerships, experimentation, and the exchange of knowledge from subject matter experts in littoral operations.”