MCAST Team Conducts Security Training with Cameroon Sailors

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Eric Hedval, officer in charge of a Maritime Civil Affairs Security Training Security Forces Assistance team, serves as a mock captive as members of the Cameroon navy Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) team practice small boat tactics on land at Douala Naval Base. This is part of a four year international security cooperation between the U.S. and Cameroon. MCAST SFA teams respond to requests from partner nations to conduct cooperative engagements with maritime security forces around the world. (U.S. Navy Photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard J. Stevens)  

DOUALA, CAMEROON

08.06.2010

Courtesy Story

Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command

By Lt. Zachary Harrell

DOUALA, Cameroon - A Security Force Assistance Mobile Training Team from the Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training command held a physical security training course at the Douala navy base July 19-23.

The three-person SFA MTT traveled to Cameroon in response to a request from the Cameroon navy for the U.S. to provide training on how to improve the security of their naval installations and personnel.

“We were requested to come here to deliver a physical security course to the Cameroon navy and conduct an assessment on their base. The objective was to show how the U.S. Navy conducts security and discuss how some of these methods can be applied at Naval Base Doula, the country’s largest naval installation,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Jerry Mosely, officer in charge of the MCAST team.

The course is part of an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships. The curriculum included such topics such as anti-terrorism/force protection measures, personnel and vehicle security inspections, and proper security checkpoint procedures.

Lt. Moudio Hervé, a company commander in the Cameroon navy and a student in the SFA physical security course said “training is important because the Cameroon navy needs to improve their method for guarding security checkpoints at the Douala base and because we had an open barrier around our base where intruders may present a significant threat.

Many students said they gained more from the course than simply implementing improvements in physical security.

“The most important thing that I can say I’ve learned has been the exchange of cultures,” said Sgt. Nshom Peter, a group leader in the Cameroon Navy. “If someday I find myself working with the U.S., I can better understand the people and how they conduct their operations.”

The instructors also recognized and embraced the cultural exchange. “Interacting with the students here and learning their traditions and customs in their military helps to build that partnership because we are understanding each other better,” said Master-at-Arms First Class Paul Francois, one of the instructors in the SFA MTT.

Upon completion of the five-day course, all 15 students were recognized with certificates of completion, while the instructors were presented with wooden Cameroonian tribal masks as a token of appreciation and friendship.

SFA mobile training teams from the MCAST command deliver military maritime expeditionary core instruction to foreign militaries in support of security cooperation and foreign internal defense missions. Subject areas include small boat operations and tactics, maritime combat operations, weapons handling, anti-terrorism/force protection, maintenance and construction, and officer and non-commissioned officer professional development and leadership.

• Date Taken: 08.06.2010
• Date Posted: 08.06.2010 12:17
• Story ID: 54064
• Location: DOUALA, CM