Africa Partnership Station Brings Martial Arts Training to Cameroon

Courtesy Photo | U.S. and Spanish Marines practice punches with members of the Cameroonian Marine Corps. The Marines are martial arts instructors assigned to Africa Partnership Station onboard USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in west and central Africa. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Brian A. Goyak)  

02.25.2008

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Petty Officer 1st Class(AW) Brian Goyak,
Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

LIMBE, Cameroon – In the spirit of international cooperation U.S. and Spanish Marines assigned to Africa Partnership Station bring a unique mix of martial arts training to the Cameroonian Marine Corps.

Staff Sgt. William Sudbrock, Staff Sgt. Robert Wold, and Sgt. Jonathan Silva instruct Cameroonian Marines in the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts fighting system while Gunnery Sgt. Rafael Garcia and Cpl. Nadiuska Torro teach the Wing Tsun and Choy Lee Fut styles of Kung Fu.

"Being a part of APS and being able to learn new styles of fighting like the Marine Corps Martial Arts while teaching our style of fighting to the Cameroonians is very interesting," said Garcia. "Because there are not many martial arts instructors here in Africa and the students are not familiar with our techniques, we try to teach basic movements that they can learn quickly and easily."

The Marines spent the previous four days at sea between Sekondi, Ghana and Limbe, Cameroon familiarizing each other with the fighting style that each country uses.

"I believe the students are progressing normally," said Silva. Despite the language barrier they are very smart and work hard to pick up the basics of the techniques we're teaching them."

The martial arts course began Feb 21 and will conclude with a graduation ceremony held onboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) Feb. 28.

"We appreciate the training provided by the U.S. and Spain because of the effort they are making to work with us," said Staff Sgt. Charles Fon, a senior non-commissioned officer of the Cameroonian Marines. "The training we are receiving is very valuable and will be passed on to our junior personnel so that the next time APS comes here they will all ready have basic knowledge in martial arts to build on."

Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa. Commander Task Force 365 and training teams from various U.S. and European military commands, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations are embarked on board Fort McHenry to enhance cooperative partnerships.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2008
• Date Posted: 02.25.2008 18:04
• Story ID: 16706