11/12/2008
By Staff Sgt. Jose L. Garcia, Marine Forces Command
SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua —
The U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, Robert J. Callahan, recently praised trainer-advisors from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG) during an awards ceremony held Oct. 31 in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
The event culminated in the presentation of tan belts and certificates in recognition of the successful completion of a two-week Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and Scout Swimming Operations course the Marines provided to 23 Nicaraguan Special Forces soldiers.
In addition to the awards presentation, the ambassador participated in a promotion ceremony for Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes, a MCTAG subject matter expert.
“The team from MCTAG has done a superb job,” Callahan declared. “After watching the Nicaraguans demonstrate what they have learned after just two weeks, I can tell this type of collaboration of military forces is both useful and productive.
“I am extremely pleased to share my first trip to San Juan del Sur with the Nicaraguan Naval Force,” he added. “The Nicaraguan armed forces are close allies with the government of the United States in combating common threats such as drug trafficking, natural disasters, organized crime and human trafficking.”
During the ceremony the Nicaraguan forces demonstrated several MCMAP techniques and conducted a small craft beach landing.
“There was nothing easy about this training,” said Sgt. Jose Huete, a squad leader for the Nicaraguan Special Forces. “It cost us a lot of pain and sweat; the Marines got everything out of us,” he said. “They made us work [very hard], but it was well worth it and I was willing to do whatever it took to graduate and get my certificate.”
Huete and his 22 comrades are the first soldiers in the Nicaraguan military to receive this type of training. This is all part of MCTAG’s growing mission to improve the combat readiness of partner nations.
“This is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship,” said Cpl. Michael Keevil, MCTAG trainer-advisor. “Combating terrorism requires total cooperation and extensive training. The Nicaraguans understand that; that’s why they’ve asked us to come back.”
While the training took just two short weeks, the planning and coordination took much longer. That’s where U.S. Marine Corps Forces South came in.
“MARFORSOUTH was an integral part of the success of this mission,” said Lt. Col. John Robinson, officer in charge of the MCTAG training team. “They laid the groundwork for this endeavor and paved the way for smooth and easy execution.”
“This was a great turnout and all the feedback has been very positive,” added Army Lt. Col. Michael C. Regan, the Marine Forces South Military Group Commander for the Nicaraguan military. “Of all the other militaries they could have asked for training, they asked the U.S. Marines. If they didn’t like us, they wouldn’t invite us back to conduct more training.”
Callahan agreed this exercise brought both countries closer together and helped establish an enduring relationship.
“This type of training really helps both the Americans and Nicaraguans understand each other better,” Callahan said. “It’s very important to continue training with the Nicaraguans and I complement all of those involved in this.”
The U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, Robert J. Callahan, recently praised trainer-advisors from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG) during an awards ceremony held Oct. 31 in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
The event culminated in the presentation of tan belts and certificates in recognition of the successful completion of a two-week Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and Scout Swimming Operations course the Marines provided to 23 Nicaraguan Special Forces soldiers.
In addition to the awards presentation, the ambassador participated in a promotion ceremony for Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes, a MCTAG subject matter expert.
“The team from MCTAG has done a superb job,” Callahan declared. “After watching the Nicaraguans demonstrate what they have learned after just two weeks, I can tell this type of collaboration of military forces is both useful and productive.
“I am extremely pleased to share my first trip to San Juan del Sur with the Nicaraguan Naval Force,” he added. “The Nicaraguan armed forces are close allies with the government of the United States in combating common threats such as drug trafficking, natural disasters, organized crime and human trafficking.”
During the ceremony the Nicaraguan forces demonstrated several MCMAP techniques and conducted a small craft beach landing.
“There was nothing easy about this training,” said Sgt. Jose Huete, a squad leader for the Nicaraguan Special Forces. “It cost us a lot of pain and sweat; the Marines got everything out of us,” he said. “They made us work [very hard], but it was well worth it and I was willing to do whatever it took to graduate and get my certificate.”
Huete and his 22 comrades are the first soldiers in the Nicaraguan military to receive this type of training. This is all part of MCTAG’s growing mission to improve the combat readiness of partner nations.
“This is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship,” said Cpl. Michael Keevil, MCTAG trainer-advisor. “Combating terrorism requires total cooperation and extensive training. The Nicaraguans understand that; that’s why they’ve asked us to come back.”
While the training took just two short weeks, the planning and coordination took much longer. That’s where U.S. Marine Corps Forces South came in.
“MARFORSOUTH was an integral part of the success of this mission,” said Lt. Col. John Robinson, officer in charge of the MCTAG training team. “They laid the groundwork for this endeavor and paved the way for smooth and easy execution.”
“This was a great turnout and all the feedback has been very positive,” added Army Lt. Col. Michael C. Regan, the Marine Forces South Military Group Commander for the Nicaraguan military. “Of all the other militaries they could have asked for training, they asked the U.S. Marines. If they didn’t like us, they wouldn’t invite us back to conduct more training.”
Callahan agreed this exercise brought both countries closer together and helped establish an enduring relationship.
“This type of training really helps both the Americans and Nicaraguans understand each other better,” Callahan said. “It’s very important to continue training with the Nicaraguans and I complement all of those involved in this.”
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