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U.S., AFP cross-train LAVs during live-fire

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 11/20/2003

Story by Cpl. M. Stew Allen

CROW VALLEY, Luzon, Philippines(Oct. 6, 2003) -- Republic of the Philippines Marines and soldiers jump from a Light Armored Vehicle, run side by side in a formation, and engage targets in the distance. Live-fire training is nothing new to the Filipino servicemen. Traveling in Light Armored Vehicles is nothing new to them either. What is different for the Philippine warriors here Oct. 5...the ride.

The Marines of Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Combat Assault Battalion, operated their LAVs across base of Crow Valley, offering cover fire with the LAVs' M242 25mm chain gun and M240 7.62mm machine gun, while the Philippine Marines and soldiers conducted team rushes during Exercise Talon Vision (Fiscal Year) 2004.

Exercise Talon Vision '04 is a bilateral training exercise designed to improve and maintain the interoperability, combat readiness, and enhance professional relationships between the U.S. and Philippine Armed Forces.

The live-fire training was a portion of the bilateral training conducted by the Marines of LAR Company and the Philippine Army and Marine scout companies. The three companies also had the opportunity to operate each other's LAVs and study the vehicles variations. The units conducted individual and vehicle maneuver training and short classes on weaponry systems.

The U.S. LAV teams consists of the vehicle's operators as well as a scout team who provides perimeter security and act as the "eyes and ears" for the LAV commander according to Sgt. Curt Sundell, LAV maintenance chief, LAR Company.

Explaining the structure of a U.S. LAV team provided strong training for the Philippine servicemen, Sundell said.

"They have taught my Marines how to effectively maneuver against contact from the enemy, allowing our team commanders to easily act against the approaching enemy," said Philippine Marine 2nd Lt. Rey M. Polinar, commanding officer, Scout Company. "The main reason the U.S. and Philippine Marines (train together) is to share knowledge of our specialties such as (marksmanship), maneuver and most of all to share the camaraderie between the U.S. and Philippine Marines."

1st Sgt. Ron Dickenson, LAR Company, said he agrees that forming a brotherhood with the Philippine servicemembers is the crucial factor of the training.

"The key aspect of all of this is to operate with the Philippine Marines to build a sense of camaraderie with our Marine brothers," he said.

Dickenson went on to explain why this brotherhood is vital to the two militaries.

"The American and Filipino people share the English language, the same values and have been allies in the past for the cause of freedom. If we are called to go to combat together then we need to know how they fight, and they need to know how we fight."