Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | Senior officers of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard wear protective face...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Officers of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard visited 1st Marine Division units at their respective areas, March 8.
The visit is part of UAE’s effort to build the foundation of their newly established Presidential Guard’s training regimen and military capabilities, said Maj. Randy G. Turner, Marine Forces Central Command liaison officer. Their trip began at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 7, where they observed how recruits are shaped into Marines.
“It’s important to show them how a civilian goes through recruit training,” said Turner, from Gilbert, Ariz. “One of the big things about Marine training is that you have to see it from the start.”
The UAE Crown Prince specifically asked for U.S. Marine guidance in developing a warrior ethos for the Presidential Guard, said Turner.
"It's important because the UAE is a critical partner to the United States and further because the US Marine Corps is committed to a long term relationship with the UAE's Presidential Guard. It was a great experience for our Marines and sailors to interact with such a professional force,” said Lt. Col. Joseph R. Clearfield, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
The Camp Pendleton portion of the trip began at the 62 Area, home of the 5th Marine Regiment, where Col. Willard A. Buhl, commanding officer, 5th Marines, and Sgt. Maj. Ernest K. Hoopii, regimental sergeant major, 5th Marines, gave a short overview of “The Fighting Fifth’s” rich history and a presentation of how a Marine regiment is organized for deployment.
These visits are important to sustaining relationships with the Marine Corps’ allies and helping them develop capabilities that could also assist Marines around the world, said Buhl.
Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment also welcomed the Presidential Guard officers to their home at the 53 Area. 1/4 noncommissioned officers led a presentation of various weapon systems and demonstrated how they react to and lead their Marines during improvised explosive device attacks.
“To have the UAE come here and ask us questions and learn from us is a great experience,” Clearfield said.
1/4 recently returned from a deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where they participated with nine different theater security cooperation exercises.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Infantry Immersion Trainer, where the guests explored one of the Marine Corps’ most valuable training tools. The Presidential Guard officers will continue touring various Marine Corps installations and gaining knowledge, valuable to their mission.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2011 18:55 |
| Story ID: | 66811 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,218 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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