Auburn, Ind. native returns from training in Benin and Togo

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | Gunnery Sergeant Gabriel Burns recently returned from theater security cooperation engagements in Togo and Benin. Training in both regions focused on weapons safety and handling, rules of engagement, escalation of force, personnel and vehicle searches, vehicle entry points as well as entry control points—ending with a final exercise that tested the collective tactical knowledge learned over the course of the training engagement. Marines with SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa conducted the theater security cooperation engagement to help develop and enhance armed sentry skills sharing tactics, techniques and procedures with the Togolese and Beninese Armed Forces. (U. S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Shawn Valosin)  

SIGONELLA, ITALY

01.26.2015

Story by Cpl. Shawn Valosin 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

SIGONELLA, Italy - Gunnery Sergeant Gabriel Burns is a Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa who recently returned from Benin and Togo where he trained alongside service members from each country for a theater security cooperation engagement focusing on entry control point operations, escalation of force training vignettes, and base security, Nov. 24-Dec. 6.

The Auburn, Ind., native was part of a team of Marines working alongside Beninese and Togolese Armed Forces to help develop and enhance armed sentry skills. Several service members from both African countries are preparing to deploy for peace-keeping missions to Western Africa where they will be standing sentry duties.
Furthermore, Benin and Togo service members will use the skill sets developed to enhance home base security training and operations in Benin and Togo.

Gate sentries are the first line of defense, not only for force protection but also for enforcement of base orders and regulations. A strong show of force not only deters potentially dangerous activity but creates overall stability, safety and security for the base being protected.

Training in both regions focused on weapons safety and handling, rules of engagement, escalation of force, personnel and vehicle searches, vehicle entry points as well as entry control points—ending with a final exercise that tested the collective tactical knowledge learned over the course of the training engagement.

“We created three scenarios for each group that varied in difficulty and tested the appropriate level of escalation of force required,” said Burns. “The service members for each country easily adapted to each scenario, applying the knowledge we shared into practical application.”

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa out of Naval Air Station Sigonella is a rotational deployment of Marines and Sailors conducting theater security cooperation engagements in various African countries that started in 2011. The current iteration is sourced from units across II Marine Expeditionary Force and is primarily sourced from Combat Logistics Battalion-2 out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also supporting SPMAGTF-CR-AF is a detachment from the U.S. Coast Guard.

SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa strengthens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing security challenges. Marines and Sailors with SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa conduct theater security cooperation, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide contingency support to crisis response.

• Date Taken: 01.26.2015
• Date Posted: 01.26.2015 12:49
• Story ID: 152716
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT
• Hometown: AUBURN, INDIANA, US