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Africa Partnership Station unites Spanish and American Marines

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071117-13
Release Date: 11/17/2007 8:42:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Hills, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

USS FORT MCHENRY, At Sea (NNS) -- The Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission is somewhat new and different from past deployments the Navy has done in West and Central Africa. APS aims to enhance regional maritime safety and security in Western and Central Africa by bringing international training teams from 14 different countries to Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Senegal, and Sao Tome and Principe.

One of these training teams consists of Marines from Spain and the United States who've united together aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) to bring hand-to-hand and close-quarters combat techniques to Western and Central Africa in support of APS.

"I enjoy working with the Spanish marines. They're a great group of guys. We came together pretty quick, and we've been working together since we met each other," said Sgt. Anthony Curtis, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Sigonella, Italy.

Sgt. Marcos Leon Paez, from the Spanish Marine Corps Base in San Fernando, Spain, believes their martial arts techniques can benefit military members from every nation.

"With martial arts, you don't become more aggressive -- you become more collected and more confident in yourself," said Paez.

Both the Spanish and Americans believe military combatants need to know what kind of combat situation they're getting into, and they need to have the skillset to prepare themselves for the mission.

"With martial arts, you know where your limit is -- never more aggressive than your aggressor," said Sgt. Sergio Garcia from the Spanish Marine Corps Base in San Fernando, Spain. "I know where my limit is, and I know when I can hurt the enemy."

They also believe their martial arts program not only teaches them how to control their movements, but teaches them discipline and character.

"The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program makes you a better person overall just by getting you out there [by] prov[ing] to yourself and your fellow Marines that you have the physical courage and mental courage to go through the moves, remember the moves, and to be able to apply the techniques when they're needed," said Sgt. Patrick Noll from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii's 3rd Radio Battalion.

In addition to bringing international training teams from 14 different countries, APS, an African and European partnership designed to enhance regional maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa, will also support more than 20 humanitarian assistance projects.