SAN JOSE, Guatemala (NNS) -- Four U.S. Marines and one Sailor, assigned to Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG), concluded a week-long operational tactic exchange with members of the Guatemalan military in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011, Jan. 28.
SPS is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America involving information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region.
The operational tactic exchange consisted of cross training on urban movement, security breaching, movement under fire and non-lethal combat techniques at the Guatemalan army paratrooper training base, Brigada de Paracaidistas.
"This has been a very productive week in regards to working together and building our knowledge base," said Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Monteiro, MCTAG instructor. "Our team gained some critical knowledge, and was able to share our expertise and experience as well.
The Guatemalan service members participating in the evolution represented the country's navy, army, marine corps and special forces units.
"We're a small country, so it's very important for us to train with one another to build cohesiveness and camaraderie," said Comandante Brig. Tropas Paracaidistas Luis Francisco Juarez Enriquez, base commander. "It displays our commitment to teamwork when we work with the U.S. to strengthen our skill set and knowledge base."
"This was by far one of the most efficient exchanges our team has engaged in," said Marine Capt. Raul Melano, MCTAG officer-in-charge. "The Guatemalans were eager to learn and share with us, which created an outstanding cross training environment."
MCTAG, operating under U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command (MARFORSOUTH), is one of a complement of military teams embarked aboard High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) conducting training and subject matter expert exchanges with partner nations during this five-month mission.
MCTAG's mission is to build partner nation capacity in support of combatant commanders' theater security force assistance and security cooperation objectives as designated by respective regional Marine force component commands.
MARFORSOUTH commands all Marine forces assigned to Commander Southern Command; advises the commander on the proper employment and support of Marine forces; conducts deployment/redeployment planning and execution of assigned/attached Marine forces; and accomplishes other operational missions as assigned.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) is the naval component command for U.S. Southern Command and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility. COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. maritime strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations, and counter-illicit trafficking operations.
For more information, contact COMUSNAVSO/C4F Public Affairs by e-mail at comusnavso-c4f_mypt_pao@navy.mil, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT.
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