SP-MAGTF Africa 14 service members train for upcoming TSC engagements

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14 work together to flip a zodiac combat reconnaissance rubber craft during a small-craft capsize exercise aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Aug. 20, 2014. The exercise taught service members how to flip their boat back over safely in the event of a rollover. The drills were used to prepare the service members for upcoming Theater Security Cooperation engagements in Africa where they will be working alongside partner nations and sharing the same techniques. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn Valosin)  

SIGONELLA, ITALY

08.22.2014

Story by Cpl. Shawn Valosin 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

SIGONELLA, Italy - When conducting boat exercises, the potential for capsizing is prevalent. If a situation arises on a deployment in a maritime domain, service members must know what actions to take to ensure the safety of all personnel.

U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14 conducted small-craft capsize exercises with a zodiac combat reconnaissance rubber craft here, Aug. 20 to ensure all members know exactly what to do in the event of a rollover while on Theater Security Cooperation engagements to various countries in Africa.

“We did capsize drills with the [British Royal Marines], so when we’re in [Africa] we all know how the procedure works in case one of the boats flip, that way we’re all capable and safe,” said Lance Cpl. John Bosell, a Mohrsville, Pa., native and rifleman with SP-MAGTF Africa 14. “The training went really well, it was taught as if we were actually executing it.”

While in Africa the U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines will be working alongside partner nation military forces to share similar maritime techniques in order to expand their knowledge of a variety of skills including small boat operations, proper maintenance procedures and maritime interdiction.

SP-MAGTF Africa continues to build relationships with the community while simultaneously strengthening U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing security challenges in the region.

• Date Taken: 08.22.2014
• Date Posted: 08.22.2014 12:54
• Story ID: 140139
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT
• Hometown: MOHRSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, US