Colombian Relationship Thrives During Exercise TRADEWINDS 22 > United States Marine Corps Flagship > News Display

Marines and Sailors from U.S. Maritime Corps Forces, South and U.S. Marine Forces Reserve participated alongside armed service and interagency partners from 22 nations in Belize and Mexico for the duration of a major multinational workout 7-21 May.

Training TRADEWINDS is a multinational exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and hosted by a variety of nations in and all around the Caribbean. This exercising focuses on creating the capability, knowledge, and experience of taking part nations in the Caribbean to much better react to security threats.

Collaborating for the to start with time in the area instruction portion of this exercise, Colombia supported TW22 by sending features of the Colombian Marine Corps to participate in the riverine schooling situations and things of the Colombian Army to take part in the jungle training occasions. The riverine coaching took spot together the Hondo River close to Chetumal, Mexico and consisted of many important occasions to incorporate smaller boat operations, maritime navigation, drinking water survival, boat upkeep, beach front landing, maritime interdiction, riverine patrolling, helocasting, heliborne latter extractions, and ship to shore movements.

“Exercises these as TRADEWINDS engage in a considerable part in enhancing maritime security in the course of the region and highlights the worth of performing with our companions and allies…” Col. Brian Ecarius, MARFORSOUTH Director of Ideas and Workout routines

“The Colombian Marines exhibited a high pedigree of rigor, professionalism, proficiency, and commitment. It is clear they are really knowledgeable and completely take pleasure in coaching with American and multinational associates,” stated Master Sgt. Billy Ross, the Coaching Chief for Third Drive Reconnaissance Firm. “Having the Colombians listed here to coach and exchange know-how was really effective to all partners associated.”

Colombia is a regional leader in riverine functions and has a lot to teach military services units from all above the entire world. They function a Riverine Center of Excellence at their training facility in Turbo, Gulf of Uraba which is built to be the premier riverine coaching center in the region to train and trade their know-how to companions. Furthermore, Colombia is actively engaged in stability missions in just their country focused on counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and counterinsurgency which contributes to their abilities and success in riverine operations. This experience makes it possible for them to develop, refine, and validate new approaches to littoral functions helping to make certain regional stability and balance.

“Their functions in and all around the littorals have supplied some elementary insights on methods, approaches, and techniques associated with riverine and littoral operations,” stated Gunnery Sgt. Julio Castellanos, MARFORSOUTH engagement main who put in three yrs in an exchange system with the Colombian Marine Corps. “There is so significantly they have taught us now and that we can continue on to understand from them to progress our own abilities and ideas.”

The U.S. and Colombian Maritime Corps have a historic marriage that is strengthened via shared troubles, shared visions, and shared values. Every year the two forces carry out various issue issue professional exchanges that deliver a location to find out from each individual other on subjects this kind of as amphibious setting up, expeditionary logistics, and leadership enhancement. Littoral and expeditionary operations are a major focus of the two nations’ and facilitate amplified interoperability and unity of work.

TRADEWINDS is a important opportunity to extend on this connection and make it possible for Colombia to continue its job in exporting stability through the Western Hemisphere. Not only does it provide taking part nations the chance to conduct mixed, joint, and interagency coaching concentrated on elaborate multinational security operations, it boosts cooperation and interoperability all through the region as perfectly. Colombia and the U.S. have a whole lot to provide in this regard and the two nations are presently in conversations to raise participation and co-lead a training lane through TW23, hosted by Guyana.

“Exercises this kind of as TRADEWINDS play a sizeable function in boosting maritime protection during the area and highlights the worth of performing with our associates and allies to accomplish widespread aims and regional safety,” said Col. Brian Ecarius, MARFORSOUTH Director of Plans and Workout routines. “Latin The usa and the Caribbean are dwelling to significant coastal and riverine environments earning it a premiere spot for maritime partnerships, experimentation, and the trade of expertise from subject matter make any difference experts in littoral operations.”