Photo By Sgt. Aaron Hostutler | Marines and sailors with Landing Force Company conduct stretching exercises with...... read more read more
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Marines and sailors of Landing Force Company concluded training with Indonesian Marines at the Antra Lina training area, Indonesia, June 1, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2011.
CARAT is an ongoing, annual series of bilateral exercises held among the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding and increasing operational readiness.
The Indonesian Marine participants involved in this phase of CARAT were from 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Korps Marinir. The U.S. service members from Landing Force Company are comprised primarily of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, both from 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.
Augmented with staff from III Marine Expeditionary Force, these Marines are training with partner nations throughout the region in the core military skills required for combat marksmanship, military operations in urban terrain, martial arts, jungle warfare and combat lifesaving.
The training in Indonesia benefitted both nations.
“I enjoyed the sniper training,” said Indonesian Marine Maj. Mannir Danuri, the training leader for the exercise. “Sniper training is very important, and we learned not only shooting, but also tactics.”
Both nations brought expertise to the training from which each other could benefit. U.S. Marines shared knowledge of recent operations in urban terrain and Indonesian Marines shared their expertise in jungle warfare.
“One thing we brought to the table was our combat-marksmanship program,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. Kairo A. Ortez, platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Landing Force Company. “We showed them how to shoot and move and change magazines on the move.”
Ortez added that the Marines enjoyed demonstrating these skill sets for the Indonesian Marines.
One thing the Indonesians found particularly interesting was the combat glide and speed reloads.
“I was very interested in how the Marines are able to shoot while they move,” said Indonesian Marine Capt. Rian Malfi, company commander with Jaguar Company, 6th Infantry Bn. “That is something I really enjoyed seeing.”
While many U.S. Marines have experienced some form of jungle warfare training, the Indonesians brought something new for the Landing Force Marines to learn.
“I really enjoyed the jungle-survival training,” Ortez said. “They taught us which plants to eat for nutrition, as well as to cure some illnesses. One thing I thought was interesting was how they taught us to cook rice in three different ways: cooking it in bamboo, a coconut and even burying it in a sock and starting a fire over it. All the things they taught us made me feel like I could be in a jungle environment and survive.”
After the training was complete, both nations walked away knowing they had learned something from their counterparts.
“I believe that exchanging these tactics between us and the U.S. Marine Corps has made us both better,” said Malfi. “I only wish we had more time to train with the U.S.”
While both countries gained tactical experience from the exercise, they also developed relationships with each other founded on a common bond of service.
“The U.S. Marines and the Indonesians have a very good relationship,” said Malfi. “We are both training hard to serve our countries.”
CARAT’s involvement in Indonesia has come to an end, but the exercise continues, as Marines share knowledge and expertise with other partner nations.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2011 20:10 |
| Story ID: | 72225 |
| Location: | ID |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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