thedrifter
02-18-09, 07:57 AM
APS brings together Senegalese Special Forces and U.S. Marines
2/17/2009 By Sgt. Elsa Portillo , Marine Forces Africa
THEIS MILITARY RESERVE, Senegal — Gunfire, hip throws, and Military Operations in Urban Terrain were on the agenda for the last few days of seminars at the Thies Military Reserve in Thies, Senegal. Marines with Marine Advisor Team partnered with Senegalese Special Forces in support of Africa Partnership Station Nashville, an initiative allowing the exchange of techniques in order to promote an environment where host nations can build upon their maritime safety and security measures.
This is the second year for APS, and both the Senegalese and U.S. forces intend to continue this partnership in the hopes of building a continuous learning environment and to foster good international relations.
“It was a good experience for us, for my soldiers,” said Maj.Souleymane Kande, coordinator, Senegalese Special Forces. “They took this opportunity to improve their experience by practicing the knowledge that they had before this exercise.”
The Marines built on lessons learned from previous engagements. Seminars encompassing non-lethal tactics, combat lifesavers skills, patrolling and intelligence comprised the first few days of training. The exchanged wrapped up with marksmanship, MOUT and Marine Corps martial arts.
All the courses were greatly appreciated by the Senegalese soldiers, and though there may have been favorites, all the classes gave host nation forces something for the future.
“They can’t eliminate one course because they all are important,” said Seaman Jean Diassy, Senegalese Special Forces. “One class will complete the other. So if you don’t use it for today, maybe tomorrow you need it for another mission, so all the classes are good.”
One course that made an immediate impression was the marksmanship course. It gave the soldiers an understanding of proper form, and the range portion of the course gave them the hands-on experience. Practical application is a main component of most of the seminars. This is so students can practice and hone the techniques and tactics learned and also for the trainers to ensure the students are correctly performing the tasks.
Many of these soldiers have already seen combat in the Southern region of their country, in the Congo or the Ivory Coast, according to Lt. Dame Ka, platoon leader, Senegalese Special Forces. The proper implementation of a technique is very important since the host nation forces may not have many chances to practice before they are once again in a combat situation.
“All the things we are doing as military are so we can knock out the enemy, to shoot the enemy,” said Sgt. Abdoulaye Cisse, Senegalese Special Forces. “So, we need to be perfect in shooting.”
The wars of the past involved fighting in lines on a battlefield, and now war has evolved into fighting insurgents in urban terrain. This is true not just for Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan but for many countries around the world. This concern for being able to effectively fight in this new environment is one that was voiced during the exchange.
“Nowadays we are involved in urban combat,” said Sgt. Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Senegalese Special Forces. “Nowadays all the combat is happening in big cities, so we need to build ourselves to succeed in missions in the cities.”
The seminars may have been to share information and tactics with the host nation, but the interaction also taught the Marines how to communicate in an environment where language was an issue.
According to Sgt. Alvin F. McLean, advisor, MAT, the language barrier was a challenge, but one that could be overcome. He learned through practical application students effectively learned the techniques. The translators also played a big role in helping out and were essential to the learning environment.
The level of interaction needed to successfully accomplish this mission was high. Because of that, both forces walked away with new friends, memories and a cultural understanding.
“This evolution has reached a very positive point,” said Lt. Col. Cheikh A. Thioune, military region commander. “If you have seen the reaction of the Senegalese soldier towards their American peers, they have a kind of cohesion that has formed from the relationship they have developed among them.”
The culmination for both sides came February 9 during the graduation ceremony. Approximately 150 soldiers received certificates of completion, and the U.S. Marines received monogrammed t-shirts as tokens of appreciation. The U.S. Marines and the Senegalese Special Forces came together with sodas and snacks before parting ways. This may have been the last day these particular service members may see one another but it will not be the last time these two services interact.
“We like to continue dealing with American forces because you are loved everywhere,” said Thioune. “You work well and we would like to continue cooperating with you.”
Ellie
2/17/2009 By Sgt. Elsa Portillo , Marine Forces Africa
THEIS MILITARY RESERVE, Senegal — Gunfire, hip throws, and Military Operations in Urban Terrain were on the agenda for the last few days of seminars at the Thies Military Reserve in Thies, Senegal. Marines with Marine Advisor Team partnered with Senegalese Special Forces in support of Africa Partnership Station Nashville, an initiative allowing the exchange of techniques in order to promote an environment where host nations can build upon their maritime safety and security measures.
This is the second year for APS, and both the Senegalese and U.S. forces intend to continue this partnership in the hopes of building a continuous learning environment and to foster good international relations.
“It was a good experience for us, for my soldiers,” said Maj.Souleymane Kande, coordinator, Senegalese Special Forces. “They took this opportunity to improve their experience by practicing the knowledge that they had before this exercise.”
The Marines built on lessons learned from previous engagements. Seminars encompassing non-lethal tactics, combat lifesavers skills, patrolling and intelligence comprised the first few days of training. The exchanged wrapped up with marksmanship, MOUT and Marine Corps martial arts.
All the courses were greatly appreciated by the Senegalese soldiers, and though there may have been favorites, all the classes gave host nation forces something for the future.
“They can’t eliminate one course because they all are important,” said Seaman Jean Diassy, Senegalese Special Forces. “One class will complete the other. So if you don’t use it for today, maybe tomorrow you need it for another mission, so all the classes are good.”
One course that made an immediate impression was the marksmanship course. It gave the soldiers an understanding of proper form, and the range portion of the course gave them the hands-on experience. Practical application is a main component of most of the seminars. This is so students can practice and hone the techniques and tactics learned and also for the trainers to ensure the students are correctly performing the tasks.
Many of these soldiers have already seen combat in the Southern region of their country, in the Congo or the Ivory Coast, according to Lt. Dame Ka, platoon leader, Senegalese Special Forces. The proper implementation of a technique is very important since the host nation forces may not have many chances to practice before they are once again in a combat situation.
“All the things we are doing as military are so we can knock out the enemy, to shoot the enemy,” said Sgt. Abdoulaye Cisse, Senegalese Special Forces. “So, we need to be perfect in shooting.”
The wars of the past involved fighting in lines on a battlefield, and now war has evolved into fighting insurgents in urban terrain. This is true not just for Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan but for many countries around the world. This concern for being able to effectively fight in this new environment is one that was voiced during the exchange.
“Nowadays we are involved in urban combat,” said Sgt. Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Senegalese Special Forces. “Nowadays all the combat is happening in big cities, so we need to build ourselves to succeed in missions in the cities.”
The seminars may have been to share information and tactics with the host nation, but the interaction also taught the Marines how to communicate in an environment where language was an issue.
According to Sgt. Alvin F. McLean, advisor, MAT, the language barrier was a challenge, but one that could be overcome. He learned through practical application students effectively learned the techniques. The translators also played a big role in helping out and were essential to the learning environment.
The level of interaction needed to successfully accomplish this mission was high. Because of that, both forces walked away with new friends, memories and a cultural understanding.
“This evolution has reached a very positive point,” said Lt. Col. Cheikh A. Thioune, military region commander. “If you have seen the reaction of the Senegalese soldier towards their American peers, they have a kind of cohesion that has formed from the relationship they have developed among them.”
The culmination for both sides came February 9 during the graduation ceremony. Approximately 150 soldiers received certificates of completion, and the U.S. Marines received monogrammed t-shirts as tokens of appreciation. The U.S. Marines and the Senegalese Special Forces came together with sodas and snacks before parting ways. This may have been the last day these particular service members may see one another but it will not be the last time these two services interact.
“We like to continue dealing with American forces because you are loved everywhere,” said Thioune. “You work well and we would like to continue cooperating with you.”
Ellie