MCTAG provides training to Rwandan troops

9/10/2008

By SSgt Jose L. Garcia, Marine Forces Command
CAMP GAKO, Rwanda –

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG), in conjunction with the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), recently conducted a two-week training exercise to prepare a Rwandan Army battalion for their upcoming peacekeeping deployment in support of the African Union Mission in Darfur, Sudan. MCTAG Marines and instructors from the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) Program trained, mentored and tested the skills of the RDF 7th Infantry Battalion headquarters during a command post exercise and a computer-assisted command post exercise. The primary goal of the scenario-based training was to ensure the battalion headquarters staff officers could command and control subordinate units. Emphasis was placed on staff functions, building teamwork within the staff and the flow of information. “We have to make sure the communication sections know the importance of conveying the information immediately once they receive it,” said David Tunison, an instructor trainer/evaluator for ACOTA. “We don’t want the information to linger out there too long,” said the 23-year Army veteran. “The battalion commander needs to know what’s going on.” The exercises also tested the Rwandan staff officers’ ability to support peace operations in a foreign country and to protect internally displaced persons camps, non-governmental organizations (NGO) installations, and lines of communication. Their goal was to create a secure environment in the area of operation to allow humanitarian assistance to those in need. The RDF officers were challenged with random scenarios ranging from convoy ambushes and breakdowns, NGO attacks, contaminated fuel, improvised explosive device attacks and medical evacuation. “We want to see how they react, coordinate and facilitate decisions for their commander when we give them new problems to handle,” said Captain Todd P. Forsman, a trainer advisor with MCTAG. Demanding new situations for the RDF were introduced through a master scenario event list injection, Forsman added. “It was tough for them in the beginning,” said the 28 year-old, “but every day they learned more, improved and became more military-structured." The Marines gave the RDF staff officers added insight into the mission at-hand, taught them how to manage and gather intelligence for future operations, and stressed the importance of being able to communicate with their own soldiers. “It’s nice to have the Marines here,” said Captain Peter Nkurunziza, the 7th RDF Infantry Battalion S-3 officer. “They provide us with good strong support and introduce us to different and new experiences.” “It would help more if we spoke the same language,” Nkurunziza laughed. “But we still manage to understand each other.” “The Marines shared different operational experiences with us to include Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Captain Charles Muganga, a staff instructor trainer with 7th RDF Infantry Battalion. “It’s a huge difference from what we’ve learned so far; the training enriched us with a lot of knowledge.” “The exercises allowed [us] to get more integrated and acquainted with each other,” said Lieutenant Colonel John Gasana, commanding officer of the 7th RDF Infantry Battalion. “I’d never met Marines before and it was a pleasure having them here,” Gasana added. “I’ve been impressed by their patience in helping and advising us in our training. “It shouldn’t stop here; we need to keep exchanging ideas.” MCTAG was established last September to provide conventional training and advisor teams to work alongside partner nations’ security forces.