thedrifter
11-28-03, 06:32 AM
U.S. Sailors, Marines exercise with Cameroon military
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 2003112574737
Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Fleming
DOUALA, Cameroon (Nov. 15, 2003) -- U.S. Sailors and Marines on board High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) completed the second phase of West African Training Cruise 2004 here Nov. 14, after a day of challenging joint at-sea rescue and amphibious exercises with members of the Cameroon Naval Infantry. The training was conducted to promote interoperability between the U.S. and host nation, as well as explore and refine operational capabilities of U.S. assets.
"We were really impressed with how well the operation went," said Cameroon Navy Lieutenant Emmanuel Sone, liaison officer between his service and participating U.S. units. "Observing the communications and the tactics was very beneficial. I think this showed both sides that it is possible for us to work together if there is ever a problem or crisis in this region. We hope that we can establish a true partnership between the two militaries."
Swift, a catamaran leased from Australian builders in August, spent time in Bahrain before moving around the southern coast of the African continent to begin WATC. The ship is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 45 knots. It is being considered for a variety of missions, including mine warfare, rapid troop transport, maritime interdiction and humanitarian assistance. A 28,000-square-foot mission bay, helicopter flight deck, and crew-served weapons complement the ship's impressive list of features.
On Friday, Swift departed pier side in Douala at 7:30 a.m. with several members of Cameroon's military services on board as observers. An hour later, the ship received a pre-arranged distress signal from a Cameroon naval vessel code-named Charlotte, 14 knots away and taking on water. Swift raced to Charlotte's location, capitalizing on its Caterpillar 3618 marine diesel engines and wave-piercing aluminum hull to close the distance quickly and initiate the search-and-rescue evolution.
On scene, Swift crewmembers used the ship's stern slewing telescoping boom crane to launch a wave of boats assigned to Small Craft Company, 2nd Marine Division.
The Marines approached Charlotte, rapidly removed nearly 40 member of the Cameroon Naval Infantry staged as stranded passengers, and transferred them back to Swift for debrief. In the process, Marines and the Swift crew also furthered their progress towards a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures.
"Prior to WATC, we had not worked together," said Staff Sgt. David A. Ruble, a member of the small craft company, which has approximately 20 personnel embarked for the remainder of the exercise. "Most of our projects with the Navy are from traditional amphib ships. Each time we do something, we figure out what works well this variant, consider the equipment we need to bring with us, and work on issues like communications. It's all part of getting that fluid movement going, with each person on their boat learning their job as well as line handlers, the crane operator, and other people on Swift."
Once on board Swift, the Cameroon infantrymen enjoyed lunch and discussed strategy for the second half of the joint exercise. Cameroon military observers and national media representatives also took advantage of the break to familiarize themselves with Swift's characteristics and mission capacities, touring the ship from top to bottom and talking with military personnel from both nations.
Mostly members of the nation's elite diving commando units, the Cameroon infantrymen donned gear and weapons while moving back to Swift's portside aft personnel transfer area. Again they boarded Marine Corps rigid raider craft and combat river reconnaissance craft, this time for expeditious delivery to a local beachhead for execution of a simulated amphibious assault. For U.S. Marines, the endeavor was a learning experience.
"Any time we get the opportunity to work with a foreign service, it is beneficial," Ruble said. "We used our tactics to bring them in to the release point. From there, they used the techniques they've trained with to do the raid. In the end, we learned from each other."
After recovering the Marines and their small boats, Swift returned to the pier in Douala. Today, the Cameroon Navy hosted a reception for U.S. military personnel at their local base, marking a fitting and memorable conclusion to the three-day exercise. Commander Mark Sakaguchi, Commanding Officer of Swift's Gold Crew from Little Creek, Va., exchanged gifts of appreciation with local military officials and thanked the Cameroon service members.
"It was a privilege to work with you during our stay," Sakaguchi said to the crowd of more than 200 Cameroon military personnel. "We enjoyed the experience and appreciate the hospitality you have shown since we arrived. I hope this is the first of many exchanges to come."
Sone shared the sentiment.
"Training always gives us a splendid opportunity to measure our state of readiness, to figure out how prepared we are to respond to a mission," said Sone, a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
"Everyone was looking forward to this because the perception is that the U.S. has the best trained and best equipped forces. This exercise really mobilized our whole military because our chain of command wanted to make sure this worked out well. I'm confident they were pleased and look forward to more exercises in the future."
Swift will embark more than 100 Marines in Ghana before moving on to The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Morocco to close out WATC 04. The ship will return to Little Creek upon completion of the exercise, and be turned over to the Blue Crew in Ingleside, Texas in February 2004.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003112581634/$file/boat1low.jpg
DOUALA, Cameroon - U.S. Marine Capt. Rich Harrington (in boat, front), 1st Lt. Keegan Welch (middle) and Lance Cpl. William Horton (rear) ride a Marine rigid raiding craft as it is lowered into the water under the watchful eyes of U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Garrett Cecilio and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Vincent Cantley. The Marines and sailors are deployed aboard the HSV 2 SWIFT for West African Training Cruise 04. During this portion of training, the Marines and crew from the Swift performed an at-sea rescue of a Cameroonian Naval Infantrymen who were aboard a simulated burning ship.
Photo by: Maj. Tim Keefe
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A0E26049DEDE822985256DE900464747?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 2003112574737
Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Fleming
DOUALA, Cameroon (Nov. 15, 2003) -- U.S. Sailors and Marines on board High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) completed the second phase of West African Training Cruise 2004 here Nov. 14, after a day of challenging joint at-sea rescue and amphibious exercises with members of the Cameroon Naval Infantry. The training was conducted to promote interoperability between the U.S. and host nation, as well as explore and refine operational capabilities of U.S. assets.
"We were really impressed with how well the operation went," said Cameroon Navy Lieutenant Emmanuel Sone, liaison officer between his service and participating U.S. units. "Observing the communications and the tactics was very beneficial. I think this showed both sides that it is possible for us to work together if there is ever a problem or crisis in this region. We hope that we can establish a true partnership between the two militaries."
Swift, a catamaran leased from Australian builders in August, spent time in Bahrain before moving around the southern coast of the African continent to begin WATC. The ship is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 45 knots. It is being considered for a variety of missions, including mine warfare, rapid troop transport, maritime interdiction and humanitarian assistance. A 28,000-square-foot mission bay, helicopter flight deck, and crew-served weapons complement the ship's impressive list of features.
On Friday, Swift departed pier side in Douala at 7:30 a.m. with several members of Cameroon's military services on board as observers. An hour later, the ship received a pre-arranged distress signal from a Cameroon naval vessel code-named Charlotte, 14 knots away and taking on water. Swift raced to Charlotte's location, capitalizing on its Caterpillar 3618 marine diesel engines and wave-piercing aluminum hull to close the distance quickly and initiate the search-and-rescue evolution.
On scene, Swift crewmembers used the ship's stern slewing telescoping boom crane to launch a wave of boats assigned to Small Craft Company, 2nd Marine Division.
The Marines approached Charlotte, rapidly removed nearly 40 member of the Cameroon Naval Infantry staged as stranded passengers, and transferred them back to Swift for debrief. In the process, Marines and the Swift crew also furthered their progress towards a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures.
"Prior to WATC, we had not worked together," said Staff Sgt. David A. Ruble, a member of the small craft company, which has approximately 20 personnel embarked for the remainder of the exercise. "Most of our projects with the Navy are from traditional amphib ships. Each time we do something, we figure out what works well this variant, consider the equipment we need to bring with us, and work on issues like communications. It's all part of getting that fluid movement going, with each person on their boat learning their job as well as line handlers, the crane operator, and other people on Swift."
Once on board Swift, the Cameroon infantrymen enjoyed lunch and discussed strategy for the second half of the joint exercise. Cameroon military observers and national media representatives also took advantage of the break to familiarize themselves with Swift's characteristics and mission capacities, touring the ship from top to bottom and talking with military personnel from both nations.
Mostly members of the nation's elite diving commando units, the Cameroon infantrymen donned gear and weapons while moving back to Swift's portside aft personnel transfer area. Again they boarded Marine Corps rigid raider craft and combat river reconnaissance craft, this time for expeditious delivery to a local beachhead for execution of a simulated amphibious assault. For U.S. Marines, the endeavor was a learning experience.
"Any time we get the opportunity to work with a foreign service, it is beneficial," Ruble said. "We used our tactics to bring them in to the release point. From there, they used the techniques they've trained with to do the raid. In the end, we learned from each other."
After recovering the Marines and their small boats, Swift returned to the pier in Douala. Today, the Cameroon Navy hosted a reception for U.S. military personnel at their local base, marking a fitting and memorable conclusion to the three-day exercise. Commander Mark Sakaguchi, Commanding Officer of Swift's Gold Crew from Little Creek, Va., exchanged gifts of appreciation with local military officials and thanked the Cameroon service members.
"It was a privilege to work with you during our stay," Sakaguchi said to the crowd of more than 200 Cameroon military personnel. "We enjoyed the experience and appreciate the hospitality you have shown since we arrived. I hope this is the first of many exchanges to come."
Sone shared the sentiment.
"Training always gives us a splendid opportunity to measure our state of readiness, to figure out how prepared we are to respond to a mission," said Sone, a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
"Everyone was looking forward to this because the perception is that the U.S. has the best trained and best equipped forces. This exercise really mobilized our whole military because our chain of command wanted to make sure this worked out well. I'm confident they were pleased and look forward to more exercises in the future."
Swift will embark more than 100 Marines in Ghana before moving on to The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Morocco to close out WATC 04. The ship will return to Little Creek upon completion of the exercise, and be turned over to the Blue Crew in Ingleside, Texas in February 2004.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003112581634/$file/boat1low.jpg
DOUALA, Cameroon - U.S. Marine Capt. Rich Harrington (in boat, front), 1st Lt. Keegan Welch (middle) and Lance Cpl. William Horton (rear) ride a Marine rigid raiding craft as it is lowered into the water under the watchful eyes of U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Garrett Cecilio and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Vincent Cantley. The Marines and sailors are deployed aboard the HSV 2 SWIFT for West African Training Cruise 04. During this portion of training, the Marines and crew from the Swift performed an at-sea rescue of a Cameroonian Naval Infantrymen who were aboard a simulated burning ship.
Photo by: Maj. Tim Keefe
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A0E26049DEDE822985256DE900464747?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: