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MARINES, MACEDONIANS AND ARMENIANS PARTICIPATE IN COMBINED TRAINING
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
June 1, 2012
USA
Cpl. Paul Zellner, Marine Forces Europe
6/1/2012
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania
Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 participated
in combined training with Macedonian and Armenian soldiers on Babadag
Training Area in Romania, April 2-11.
"The purpose of this training is to enhance interoperability with our
partnered allies in peacekeeping and counterinsurgency skills," said
Capt. Adam Steele, Ground Combat Element Executive Officer, BSRF 12.
"We are here to enable the training to be done in a safe and
professional environment."
The training included live-fire ranges for machine guns, close
quarters combat, marksmanship skills and designated marksmanship
training. Marines gave weapons and range safety classes to the soldiers
through an interpreter before beginning to fire.
"We bring the months and years of Marine Corps experience to share with
these men," said Steele. "Our hope is that the Macedonian and Armenian
soldiers can go back to their countries with a better understanding
and readiness for future joint training with us," said Steele.
Rain fell throughout the morning but did not hold up the training. The
service members worked together to keep the firing range running
safely and smoothly.
"This is a great opportunity to enhance our readiness abilities and
skills," said Col. Artak Tonoyan, deputy commander of the Armenian
peacekeeping brigade. "It also promotes good cooperation with U.S. and
our other peace-keeping partners."
The firing range isn't the first time these countries have worked
together. All three nations have members of their militaries deployed
as part of the International Security Assistance Force to Afghanistan
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"This also increases our knowledge as we prepare to participate in
future ISAF missions," said Tonoyan. "This is a well-organized training
and an important experience for our sergeants and we are grateful
for the opportunity to train and prepare to work side by side."
The training is part of the Black Sea Rotational Force's six-month
deployment which includes training exercises with 19 nations planned
throughout the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucusus regions. The Black Sea
Rotational Force is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance
interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie
amongst the forces.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
June 1, 2012
USA
Cpl. Paul Zellner, Marine Forces Europe
6/1/2012
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania
Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 participated
in combined training with Macedonian and Armenian soldiers on Babadag
Training Area in Romania, April 2-11.
"The purpose of this training is to enhance interoperability with our
partnered allies in peacekeeping and counterinsurgency skills," said
Capt. Adam Steele, Ground Combat Element Executive Officer, BSRF 12.
"We are here to enable the training to be done in a safe and
professional environment."
The training included live-fire ranges for machine guns, close
quarters combat, marksmanship skills and designated marksmanship
training. Marines gave weapons and range safety classes to the soldiers
through an interpreter before beginning to fire.
"We bring the months and years of Marine Corps experience to share with
these men," said Steele. "Our hope is that the Macedonian and Armenian
soldiers can go back to their countries with a better understanding
and readiness for future joint training with us," said Steele.
Rain fell throughout the morning but did not hold up the training. The
service members worked together to keep the firing range running
safely and smoothly.
"This is a great opportunity to enhance our readiness abilities and
skills," said Col. Artak Tonoyan, deputy commander of the Armenian
peacekeeping brigade. "It also promotes good cooperation with U.S. and
our other peace-keeping partners."
The firing range isn't the first time these countries have worked
together. All three nations have members of their militaries deployed
as part of the International Security Assistance Force to Afghanistan
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"This also increases our knowledge as we prepare to participate in
future ISAF missions," said Tonoyan. "This is a well-organized training
and an important experience for our sergeants and we are grateful
for the opportunity to train and prepare to work side by side."
The training is part of the Black Sea Rotational Force's six-month
deployment which includes training exercises with 19 nations planned
throughout the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucusus regions. The Black Sea
Rotational Force is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance
interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie
amongst the forces.